Department of Secondary Industry explained

Agency Name:Department of Secondary Industry
Formed:19 December 1972
Preceding1:Department of Shipping and Transport
Department of Trade and Industry
Dissolved:12 June 1974
Superseding:Department of Overseas Trade
Department of Manufacturing Industry
Type:Department
Jurisdiction:Commonwealth of Australia
Minister1 Name:Jim Cairns
Minister1 Pfo:Minister (1972–1973)
Minister2 Name:Kep Enderby
Minister2 Pfo:Minister (1973–1974)
Chief1 Name:Doug McKay
Chief1 Position:Acting Secretary (1972–1973)
Chief2 Name:Frank Pryor
Chief2 Position:Secretary (1973–1974)
Headquarters:Parkes, Canberra

The Department of Secondary Industry was an Australian government department that existed between December 1972 and June 1974 under the Whitlam government.

History

The Department had previously been located inside the Department of Trade and Industry as the Office of Secondary Industry.[1] In July 1972 the Australian Government approved the creation of 25 new positions in the Office of Secondary Industry, an opportunity to set up the nucleus for a full-scale Department of Secondary Industry, which was established in December 1972.[2]

The Department was abolished in June 1974 when it was merged with the Department of Supply to form the Department of Manufacturing Industry.[3]

Scope

Information about the department's functions and government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders, the annual Portfolio Budget Statements and in the Department's annual reports.

At its creation the Department dealt with secondary industry, including:

Structure

The Department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Secondary Industry.

Notes and References

  1. News: Bruce. Juddery. Bruce Juddery. Trade post. 24 December 1971. The Canberra Times.
  2. News: Secondary Industry faces opposition. Bruce. Juddery. Bruce Juddery. 7 July 1972. 2. The Canberra Times.
  3. News: Labor Ministry announced. David. Solomon. The Canberra Times. 12 June 1974. 1.