Skip to content
Mogged
Central governmentDepartment of State

Department of the Special Minister of State

11 March 1983 – 24 July 1987

Department of State supporting the Special Minister of State, responsible for electoral matters, law enforcement and the Australian Federal Police, support for royal commissions, parliamentary facilities, and honours and national symbols policy.

How it came into existence

Created by the Administrative Arrangements Order of 11 March 1983 as one of the new departments of the incoming Hawke government, largely from functions previously handled by the Department of Administrative Services. Its ministers were Mick Young, Kim Beazley (July 1983 to January 1984) and Young again.

  • Split from Department of Administrative Services · 11 March 1983
    • Electoral matters
    • Australian Federal Police
    • Support for royal commissions
    • Parliamentary facilities

    Which of these functions came from Administrative Services, rather than other departments, is not confirmed against the 1983 Administrative Arrangements Order.

How it ended

Abolished on 24 July 1987 when the number of departments was cut from 28 to 17. Honours and symbols policy, parliamentary facilities, royal commission support, electoral matters and the Grants Commission went to the Department of Administrative Services, and law enforcement to the Attorney-General's Department.

  • Functions transferred to Attorney-General's Department · 24 July 1987
    • Law enforcement policy and the Australian Federal Police

    The Department of the Special Minister of State was abolished in the July 1987 restructure and its law enforcement responsibilities passed to the Attorney-General's Department.

  • Part split off to form Department of Administrative Services · 24 July 1987
    • Electoral matters
    • Honours and symbols policy
    • Parliamentary facilities
    • Support for royal commissions
    • Grants Commission

Main functions

  • Electoral matters and the Commonwealth Electoral Act
  • Law enforcement and the Australian Federal Police
  • Support for royal commissions
  • Parliamentary facilities
  • Honours and national symbols policy
  • Grants Commission matters

Bodies in this portfolio (1)

Lineage

Loading lineage…

Sources

Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.