Royal Commission upon the Public Expenditure of the Commonwealth of Australia with a View to Effecting Economies
Royal Commission upon the public expenditure of the Commonwealth of Australia with a view to effecting economies · Economies Royal Commission · Economy Commission · Royal Commission on Public Expenditure
21 November 1918 – 6 April 1921
Reviewed Commonwealth expenditure department by department to recommend economies after the First World War, criticising waste in the public service and especially the Postmaster-General's Department.
How it came into existence
Appointed by Letters Patent dated 21 November 1918 by the Hughes government, following pressure in the House of Representatives, to consider and report on the public expenditure of the Commonwealth with a view to effecting economies. It was chaired by the businessman Robert Gibson; its members were unpaid and it engaged experts from business. Its costs were met by the Prime Minister's Department.
Changes during its life
- 17 October 1919First progress report laid before Parliament.
- 16 September 1920Report on the salaries of administrative officers of the public service laid before Parliament.
How it ended
Its final report was presented to Parliament on 6 April 1921, ending the commission. Its proposal for a board to manage the public service led to the Public Service Board created by the Public Service Act 1922.
Main functions
- Commonwealth public expenditure and possible economies
- Efficiency of departments, including the Postmaster-General's Department and defence establishments
- Management of the public service
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Prime Minister's Department.
Lineage
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