Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories
DEST
24 March 1993 – 9 October 1997
Previously Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment and Territories (1991–1993). Renamed Department of the Environment in 1997.
Department of State responsible for environment protection and conservation, heritage, national parks, the Antarctic, meteorology, sport and the administration of Australia's territories, and from 1996 local government.
Names over time
- Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories1987–1991
- Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment and Territories1991–1993
- Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories1993–1997
- Department of the Environment1997–1998
- Department of the Environment and Heritage1998–2007
- Department of the Environment and Water Resources2007
- Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts2007–2010
- Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities2010–2013
- Department of the Environment2013–2016
- Department of the Environment and Energy2016–2020
How it came into existence
Created by the Administrative Arrangements Order of 24 March 1993 from the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment and Territories, which it replaced after the arts moved to the Department of the Arts and Administrative Services. Ros Kelly was its first minister. On 11 March 1996 it took over local government from the abolished Department of Housing and Regional Development.
- Environment
- Sport
- Territories
Changes during its life
- Local government
- Management of Commonwealth national parks (Parks Australia)
- Biodiversity and endangered species programs
- Wildlife trade regulation
- Environmental impact assessment
- Pollution, hazardous waste and chemicals policy
- National environment protection measures
How it ended
Became the Department of the Environment on 9 October 1997: sport went to the Department of Industry, Science and Tourism, and territories and local government to the Department of Transport and Regional Development.
- Sport and recreation
- Environment
- Heritage
- Antarctica
- Meteorology
- Administration of the territories
- Local government
Main functions
- Environment protection and conservation
- Heritage and national parks
- Antarctic Division
- Bureau of Meteorology
- Sport and recreation
- Administration of the external territories and Jervis Bay
- Local government matters (from 1996)
Bodies in this portfolio (5)
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 11 March 1996 (sets it out)
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.