Department of the Special Minister of State
19 December 1972 – 22 December 1975
Department of State supporting the Special Minister of State, with a mixed set of functions including the Commonwealth archives, the National Library, royal charters and the Commonwealth Gazette, from late 1973 the administration of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and by 1975 prices justification.
How it came into existence
Created by the Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 as one of the new departments of the Whitlam government, with Peter Lawler as secretary; it took the Commonwealth Gazette and official overseas visits from the Department of the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts, together with the Commonwealth Archives Office, the National Library and royal charters. Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands appear to have come to it when the Department of External Territories was abolished on 30 November 1973. Its ministers were Don Willesee, Lionel Bowen and Doug McClelland, and Reg Withers in the Fraser caretaker ministry.
- Commonwealth Archives Office
- National Library of Australia
Which department the archives and the National Library came from in December 1972 is not confirmed against the AAO; Wikipedia names only the Department of the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts as a preceding department.
- Commonwealth Gazette
- Arrangements for official overseas visits
Changes during its life
- Administration of Christmas Island
- Administration of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Inferred: the islands were in External Territories in December 1972, this department held island services when it was abolished, and the December 1975 order gave the islands to Administrative Services. Not checked against the November 1973 order.
How it ended
Abolished on 22 December 1975 by the Fraser government. Australian Archives and the administration of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands passed to the new Department of Administrative Services (with health and education services on the islands going to the Departments of Health and Education), while industries assistance and prices justification went to the Department of Business and Consumer Affairs.
- Australian Archives
- Administration of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
The December 1975 order gave this department the external territories; that the archives and the two island territories came from the Special Minister of State is inferred from that department's responsibilities.
- Industries assistance (Industries Assistance Commission)
- Prices justification (Prices Justification Tribunal)
That industries assistance and prices justification came from the Special Minister of State is not confirmed against the AAO.
- Education on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Wikipedia lists this department as the successor of the Department of the Special Minister of State for education on the two islands; not checked against the Administrative Arrangements Order.
- Health services on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Main functions
- Commonwealth Archives Office (Australian Archives from 1974)
- National Library of Australia
- Royal charters
- Commonwealth Gazette and official overseas visits
- Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (from 1973)
- War graves
- Prices justification (Prices Justification Tribunal)
- Industries Assistance Commission
Bodies in this portfolio (1)
- Commonwealth Archives Office 1961–1974
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 (created it)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 22 December 1975 (took effect as it ended)
Some dates or links for this organisation are uncertain. Corrections are welcome.