Postmaster-General's Department
PMG
1 January 1901 – 22 December 1975
The department that ran the Commonwealth's postal, telegraph and telephone services for three-quarters of a century, and also regulated radio and provided the technical services for national broadcasting.
How it came into existence
Established on 1 January 1901 as one of the seven original Departments of State. On 1 March 1901 the post and telegraph departments of the former colonies were transferred to it under section 69 of the Constitution.
Changes during its life
- 1 March 1901Took over the post and telegraph departments of the former colonies, transferred to the Commonwealth by proclamation under section 69 of the Constitution.
- 1 July 1975Postal and telecommunications operations were transferred to the Australian Postal Commission and the Australian Telecommunications Commission; the department continued as a small policy department.
- Coastal wireless stations
The coastal radio stations were run by the Navy as the RAN Radio Service from 1916; the exact date of transfer is not confirmed.
- Programming of the National Broadcasting Service stations
- Regulation of commercial broadcasting stations
- Broadcasting technical planning
- Radio and television policy
- Ministerial oversight of the Australian Broadcasting Commission and Australian Broadcasting Control Board
- Postal services
- Post office network
- Telephone and telegraph services
- Telecommunications network
How it ended
Its postal and telecommunications operations passed on 1 July 1975 to the Australian Postal Commission and the Australian Telecommunications Commission; the remaining policy department was replaced on 22 December 1975 by the Postal and Telecommunications Department.
- Postal and telecommunications policy
- Radio frequency management
Main functions
- Postal services
- Telegraph and telephone services
- Wireless telegraphy and radio licensing
- Technical operation of national broadcasting and television transmitters
- Regulation of broadcasting (until 1949)
- Broadcasting policy (until 1972)
Bodies in this portfolio (1)
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 1 January 1901 (created it)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 22 December 1975 (took effect as it ended)
5 more Administrative Arrangements Orders set it out
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 4 April 1912 (sets it out)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 22 September 1915 (sets it out)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 13 April 1932 (sets it out)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 16 November 1950 (sets it out)
- Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 (sets it out)