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Native Affairs Branch

Native Affairs Branch, Northern Territory Administration

1939 – 1954

Renamed Welfare Branch in 1954.

Branch of the Northern Territory Administration, headed by a Director of Native Affairs, that was responsible for Aboriginal affairs in the Territory under the Aboriginals Ordinance, including government settlements and reserves, field patrols and the control of Aboriginal employment.

Names over time

  1. Native Affairs Branch1939–1954
  2. Welfare Branch1954–1973

How it came into existence

Created in 1939 to carry out the 'New Deal' policy for Aboriginal people announced by the Minister for the Interior, John McEwen, replacing the Aboriginals Department; the anthropologist E. W. P. Chinnery was appointed the first Director of Native Affairs.

  • Replaced Aboriginals Department · 1939
    • Administration of the Aboriginals Ordinance
    • Aboriginal reserves and institutions

Legislation: Aboriginals Ordinance 1918 (NT), as amended

Changes during its life

  1. 11 May 1951Administration of the Northern Territory, including the branch, passed from the Department of the Interior to the new Department of Territories.

How it ended

Became the Welfare Branch of the Northern Territory Administration in 1953–54, when Commonwealth policy moved from protection to assimilation under the Welfare Ordinance 1953 (NT); the post of Director of Native Affairs gave way to that of Director of Welfare.

  • Renamed to Welfare Branch · 1954
    • Aboriginal affairs in the Northern Territory
    • Management of settlements and reserves

    The branch was renamed and its Director of Native Affairs became the Director of Welfare; sources give 1953 for the change and 15 July 1954 for the first Director of Welfare.

Main functions

  • Administration of the Aboriginals Ordinance
  • Management of Aboriginal settlements and reserves
  • Field patrols by patrol officers
  • Control and supervision of Aboriginal employment
  • Health, rations and schooling on settlements

Where it sits

Last in the portfolio of Department of Territories.

Lineage

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Sources

Some dates or links for this organisation are uncertain. Corrections are welcome.