Department of Works (1938–39) explained

Agency Name:	Department of Works
Formed:	24 November 1938
Preceding1:	Department of the Interior (I)
Dissolved:	26 April 1939
Superseding:	Department of the Interior (II)
Type:	Department
Jurisdiction:	Commonwealth of Australia
Minister1 Name:	Harold Thorby
Minister1 Pfo:	Minister
Chief1 Name:	Maurice Mehaffy
Chief1 Position:	Director-General
Headquarters:	Canberra

The Department of Works was an Australian government department that existed between November 1938 and April 1939.

Scope

Information about the department's functions and government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders and in the Department's annual report.

According to the Administrative Arrangements Order issued on 6 April 1939, the Department dealt with:

• Geodesy (international map of the world and 129th meridian)
• Lands and surveys
• Properties transferred, acquired and rented
• Public works and services
• Preparation of design and execution of all Commonwealth architectural and engineering works in the states
• Northern Territory and ACT, including works for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• Maintenance and operation of electric light, water and sewerage services in the ACT
• Rivers, roads and bridges
• River Murray Waters Commission

Structure

The Department was a Commonwealth Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Works.