Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government explained

Post:Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
Insignia:Coat_of_Arms_of_Australia.svg
Insigniacaption:Commonwealth Coat of Arms
Flag:Flag of Australia (converted).svg
Flagcaption:Flag of Australia
Flagborder:yes
Incumbent:Catherine King
Style:The Honourable
Appointer:Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Australia
Department:Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in the Government of Australia is a position currently held by Catherine King following the swearing in of the full Albanese ministry on 1 June 2022.[1]

The Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories is a position currently held by Kristy McBain.

Scope

In the Government of Australia, the minister for infrastructure has overall responsibility for all of the matters falling within the Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications portfolio, including regulation, safety and funding in relation to aviation, shipping, roads and railways and policy on regional development and local government.

History

Under the Constitution of Australia the federal government was not given any specific responsibilities for transport, except for "railway construction and extension in any State with the consent of that State" (section 51(xxxiv)). In 1916, Billy Hughes appointed Patrick Lynch as Minister for Works and Railways to administer Commonwealth Railways and the construction of the Trans-Australian Railway. In December 1928, Stanley Bruce appointed Thomas Paterson as Minister for Markets and Transport, which included responsibility for funding road construction via grants to the states. In January 1932, this portfolio was renamed Minister for Transport, but in April 1932 it was absorbed into the new portfolio of Minister for the Interior along with the position of Minister for Works and Railways.

In December 1938, with the growth of significance of civil aviation and the commonwealth's assumption of responsibility for regulating it under international treaties, Joseph Lyons appointed Harold Thorby as the first Minister for Civil Aviation. In 1941 Robert Menzies re-established the transport portfolio with the appointment of Hubert Lawrence Anthony. The Curtin government was determined to establish a government shipping company, ultimately the Australian National Lines, and John Curtin appointed Jack Beasley as Minister for Supply and Development in 1941. This position was renamed Minister for Shipping, Fuel and Transport in 1950 under the Menzies government and Minister for Shipping and Transport in 1951. Gough Whitlam combined the transport and civil aviation portfolios in 1973, but it was re-divided with Malcolm Fraser's appointment of Wal Fife as Minister for Aviation in 1982. Bob Hawke abolished the aviation portfolio in 1987 with the creation of the "super" departments. Since 1987, there has been a single senior transport minister in Cabinet.

Agency and bodies

Other agencies and bodies the portfolio include:

List of ministers for infrastructure and transport

The following individuals have been appointed as Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, or any precedent titles:[2] [3]

width=5 Orderwidth=150 Ministerwidth=150 colspan="2" Partywidth=75 Prime Ministerwidth=325 Titlewidth=150 Term startwidth=150 Term endwidth=130 Term in office
align=center 1Thomas PatersonCountryBruceMinister for Markets and Transportalign=center 10 December 1928align=center 22 October 1929align=right days
2Parker MoloneyLaborScullinalign=center 22 October 1929align=center 21 April 1930
Minister for Transportalign=center 21 April 1930align=center 6 January 1932
3Archdale ParkhillUnited AustraliaLyonsalign=center 6 January 1932align=center 12 April 1932align=right days
4Larry AnthonyCountryMenziesMinister for Transportalign=center 26 June 1941align=center 28 August 1941 days
Faddenalign=center 28 August 1941align=center 7 October 1941
align=center 5George LawsonLaborCurtinalign=center 7 October 1941align=center 21 September 1943align=right
6Eddie Wardalign=center 21 September 1943align=center 6 July 1945
Fordealign=center 6 July 1945align=center 13 July 1945
Chifleyalign=center 13 July 1945align=center 19 December 1949
7Howard Beale LiberalMenziesalign=center 19 December 1949align=center 17 March 1950align=right days
8George McLeayMinister for Shipping, Fuel and Transportalign=center 17 March 1950align=center 11 May 1951
Minister for Shipping and Transportalign=center 11 May 1951align=center 14 September 1955
9John Spiceralign=center 14 September 1955align=center 27 September 1955align=right days
10Shane Paltridgealign=center 27 September 1955align=center 5 February 1960align=right
11Hubert Oppermanalign=center 5 February 1960align=center 18 December 1963align=right
12Gordon Freethalign=center 18 December 1963align=center 21 January 1966
Holtalign=center 26 January 1966align=center 19 December 1967
McEwenalign=center 19 December 1967align=center 10 January 1968
Gortonalign=center 10 January 1968align=center 28 February 1968
align=center 13Ian SinclairCountryalign=center 28 February 1968align=center 5 February 1971align=right
14Peter Nixonalign=center 5 February 1971align=center 10 March 1971
McMahonalign=center 10 March 1971align=center 5 December 1972
align=center 15Gough WhitlamLaborWhitlamalign=center 5 December 1972align=center 19 December 1972align=right days
align=center 16Charles JonesMinister for Transportalign=center 19 December 1972align=center 11 November 1975align=right
align=center (14)Peter NixonNational CountryFraseralign=center 11 November 1975align=center 8 December 1979align=right
17Ralph Huntalign=center 8 December 1979align=center 7 May 1982
Minister for Transport and Constructionalign=center 7 May 1982align=center 16 October 1982
Nationalalign=center 16 October 1982align=center 11 March 1983
align=center 18Peter MorrisLaborHawkeMinister for Transportalign=center 11 March 1983align=center 24 July 1987align=right
19Gareth EvansMinister for Transport and Communications
20Ralph Willis
21Kim Beazley
22John Kerin days
Keating
23Graham Richardson days
24Bob Collins
25Laurie BreretonMinister for Transport24 December 199311 March 1996
26John Sharp NationalsHowardMinister for Transport and Regional Developmentalign=center align=center align=right
27Mark Vailealign=center align=center align=right
28John AndersonMinister for Transport and Regional Servicesalign=center align=center align=right
29Warren Trussalign=center align=center align=right
(27)Mark Vailealign=center align=center align=right
30Anthony Albanese LaborRuddMinister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Governmentalign=center align=center
Gillardalign=center align=center
Minister for Infrastructure and Transportalign=center 14 September 2010align=center 27 June 2013
Ruddalign=center 27 June 2013align=center 18 September 2013
(29)Warren Truss NationalsAbbottMinister for Infrastructure and Regional Development15 September 2015
Turnbullalign=center align=center 18 February 2016
31Darren ChesterMinister for Infrastructure and Transportalign=center align=center align=right
32Barnaby Joycealign=center align=center align=right
33Michael McCormackalign=center align=center
MorrisonMinister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Developmentalign=center align=center
(32)Barnaby Joycealign=center align=center align=right
align=center 34Catherine KingLaborAlbaneseMinister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Governmentalign=center align=center Incumbentalign=right

List of ministers for regional development

The following individuals have been appointed Minister for Regional Development, or any precedent titles:[2]

width=5 Orderwidth=150 Ministerwidth=75 colspan="2" Partywidth=75 Prime Ministerwidth=325 Titlewidth=150 Term startwidth=150 Term endwidth=130 Term in office
1Tom Uren LaborWhitlamMinister for Urban and Regional Developmentalign=center align=center align=right
2John Carrick LiberalFraseralign=center align=center align=right days
3Ivor GreenwoodMinister for Environment, Housing and Community Developmentalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 4Kevin Newmanalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 5Ray Groomalign=center align=center align=right
6Alan Griffiths LaborKeatingMinister for Industry, Technology and Regional Developmentalign=center align=center align=right days
7Peter Cookalign=center align=center align=right days
8Brian HoweMinister for Housing and Regional Developmentalign=center align=center align=right
9John Sharp NationalsHowardMinister for Transport and Regional Developmentalign=center align=center align=right
10Mark Vailealign=center align=center align=right
11John AndersonMinister for Transport and Regional Servicesalign=center align=center align=right
12Warren Trussalign=center align=center align=right
(10)Mark Vailealign=center align=center align=right
13Anthony Albanese LaborRuddMinister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Governmentalign=center align=center
Gillardalign=center align=center
14Simon CreanMinister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Governmentalign=center align=center align=right
(13)Anthony AlbaneseMinister for Regional Development and Local Governmentalign=center align=center align=right days
15Sharon BirdRuddMinister for Regional Developmentalign=center align=center align=right days
(12)Warren Truss NationalsAbbottMinister for Infrastructure and Regional Development15 September 2015
Turnbullalign=center align=center
16Fiona NashMinister for Regional Developmentalign=right
align=center 17Darren Chesteralign=center align=center 20 December 2017align=right
18John McVeighMinister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Governmentalign=center align=center
Morrisonalign=center align=center
19Michael McCormackMinister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Developmentalign=center align=center align=right
20Barnaby Joycealign=center align=center align=right
align=center rowspan=2 21Catherine KingLaborAlbaneseMinister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Governmentalign=center rowspan=2align=center rowspan=2Incumbentalign=right rowspan=2
Kristy McBainMinister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories

List of ministers for local government

The following individuals have been appointed Minister for Local Government, or any precedent titles:[2]

width=5 Orderwidth=150 Ministerwidth=75 colspan=2 Partywidth=75 Prime Ministerwidth=450 Titlewidth=150 Term startwidth=150 Term endwidth=130 Term in office
1Tom UrenLaborHawkeMinister for Territories and Local Government,
Minister assisting the Prime Minister for Community Development and Regional Affairs
align=center align=center
Minister for Local Government and Administrative Servicesalign=center align=center
align=center 2Margaret ReynoldsLaborHawkeMinister for Local Governmentalign=center align=center align=right
3Wendy Fatinalign=center align=center
Keatingalign=center align=center
align=center 4David Simmonsalign=center align=center align=right
5Brian HoweMinister for Housing, Local Government and Community Servicesalign=center align=center
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Human Servicesalign=center align=center
align=center 6Warwick SmithLiberalHowardMinister for Sport, Territories and Local Governmentalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 7Alex SomlyayMinister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Governmentalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 8Ian MacdonaldMinister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Governmentalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 9Wilson TuckeyLiberalHowardMinister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Governmentalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 10Ian CampbellMinister for Local Government, Territories and Roadsalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 11Jim Lloydalign=center align=center align=right
12Anthony AlbaneseLaborRuddMinister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Governmentalign=center align=center
Gillardalign=center align=center
align=center 13Simon CreanMinister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Governmentalign=center align=center align=right
(12)Anthony AlbaneseMinister for Regional Development and Local Governmentalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 14Catherine KingRuddMinister for Regional Australia, Local Government and Territoriesalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 15Paul FletcherLiberalTurnbullMinister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projectsalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 16Fiona NashNationalMinister for Local Government and Territoriesalign=center align=center 27 October 2017align=right
align=center 17Darren Chesteralign=center align=center 20 December 2017align=right
18John McVeighMinister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Governmentalign=center align=center
Morrisonalign=center align=center
align=center 19Bridget McKenzieMinister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government and Decentralisationalign=center align=center align=right
20Mark CoultonMinister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Governmentalign=center align=center
Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government align=center align=center
align=center (19)Bridget McKenzieMinister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Educationalign=center align=center align=right
align=center (14)Catherine KingLaborAlbaneseMinister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Governmentalign=center rowspan=2align=center rowspan=2Incumbentalign=right rowspan=2
align=center 21Kristy McBainMinister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories

Former ministerial titles and portfolios

List of ministers for aviation

The following individuals have been appointed as Minister for Aviation, or any precedent titles:

width=5 Orderwidth=150 Ministerwidth=150 colspan="2" Partywidth=75 Prime Ministerwidth=325 Titlewidth=150 Term startwidth=150 Term endwidth=130 Term in office
1Harold ThorbyCountryLyonsMinister for Civil Aviationalign=center 24 November 1938align=center 7 April 1939 days
Pagealign=center 7 April 1939align=center 26 April 1939
2James FairbairnUnited AustraliaMenziesalign=center 26 April 1939align=center 13 August 1940align=right
align=center 3Arthur FaddenCountryalign=center 14 August 1940align=center 28 October 1940align=right days
4John McEwenalign=center 28 October 1940align=center 28 August 1941 days
Faddenalign=center 28 August 1941align=center 7 October 1941
5Arthur DrakefordLaborCurtinalign=center 7 October 1941align=center 6 July 1945
Fordealign=center 6 July 1945align=center 13 July 1945
Chifleyalign=center 13 July 1945align=center 19 December 1949
6Thomas White LiberalMenziesalign=center 19 December 1949align=center 11 May 1951align=right
align=center 7Larry AnthonyCountryalign=center 11 May 1951align=center 9 July 1954align=right
8Athol Townley Liberalalign=center 9 July 1954align=center 24 October 1956align=right
9Shane Paltridgealign=center 24 October 1956align=center 10 June 1964align=right
10Denham Hentyalign=center 10 June 1964align=center 26 January 1966align=right
11Reginald SwartzHoltalign=center 26 January 1966align=center 19 December 1967
McEwenalign=center 19 December 1967align=center 10 January 1968
Gortonalign=center 10 January 1968align=center 12 November 1969
12Bob Cottonalign=center 12 November 1969align=center 10 March 1971
McMahonalign=center 10 March 1971align=center 5 December 1972
align=center 13Gough WhitlamLaborWhitlamalign=center 5 December 1972align=center 19 December 1972align=right days
align=center 14Charles Jonesalign=center 19 December 1972align=center 30 November 1973align=right
align=center 15Wal Fife LiberalFraserMinister for Aviationalign=center 7 May 1982align=center 11 March 1983align=right days
align=center 16Kim BeazleyLaborHawkealign=center 11 March 1983align=center 13 December 1984align=right
align=center 17Peter Morrisalign=center 13 December 1984align=center 24 July 1987align=right
align=center 18Gary PunchLaborHawkeMinister for Telecommunications and Aviation Supportalign=center 2 September 1988align=center 28 March 1989align=right days
align=center 19Ros Kellyalign=center 6 April 1989align=center 4 April 1990align=right days
20Bob CollinsLaborHawkeMinister for Shipping and Aviation Supportalign=center 7 May 1990align=center 20 December 1991
Keatingalign=center 20 December 1991align=center 27 December 1991
Minister for Shipping and Aviationalign=center 27 December 1991align=center 27 May 1992
align=center 21Peter CookMinister for Shipping and Aviation Supportalign=center 27 May 1992align=center 24 March 1993align=right days

List of ministers for shipping

The following individuals were appointed as Ministers for Shipping, or any precedent titles:

width=5 Orderwidth=150 Ministerwidth=150 colspan="2" Partywidth=75 Prime Ministerwidth=325 Titlewidth=150 Term startwidth=150 Term endwidth=130 Term in office
align=center 1Jack BeasleyLaborCurtinMinisters for Shippingalign=center 17 October 1942align=center 2 February 1945align=right
2Bill Ashleyalign=center 2 February 1945align=center 6 July 1945
Chifleyalign=center 13 July 1945align=center 6 April 1948
Minister for Shipping and Fuelalign=center 6 April 1948align=center 19 December 1949
3George McLeay LiberalMenziesalign=center 19 December 1949align=center 17 March 1950
Minister for Fuel, Shipping and Transportalign=center 17 March 1950align=center 11 May 1951
Minister for Shipping and Transportalign=center 11 May 1951align=center 14 September 1955
4John Spiceralign=center 14 September 1955align=center 27 September 1955align=right days
5Shane Paltridgealign=center 27 September 1955align=center 5 February 1960align=right
6Hubert Oppermanalign=center 5 February 1960align=center 18 December 1963align=right
7Gordon Freethalign=center 18 December 1963align=center 21 January 1966
Holtalign=center 26 January 1966align=center 19 December 1967
McEwenalign=center 19 December 1967align=center 10 January 1968
Gortonalign=center 110 January 1968align=center 28 February 1968
align=center 8Ian SinclairCountryalign=center 28 February 1968align=center 5 February 1971align=right
9Peter Nixonalign=center 5 February 1971align=center 10 March 1971
McMahonalign=center 10 March 1971align=center 5 December 1972
align=center 10Gough WhitlamLaborWhitlamalign=center 5 December 1972align=center 19 December 1972align=right days
align=center 11Bob BrownLaborHawkeMinister for Land Transport and Shipping Supportalign=center 24 July 1987align=center 4 April 1990align=right
12Bob CollinsMinister for Shippingalign=center 4 April 1990align=center 7 May 1990
Minister for Shipping and Aviation Supportalign=center 7 May 1990align=center 20 December 1991
Keatingalign=center 20 December 1991align=center 27 December 1991
Minister for Shipping and Aviationalign=center 27 December 1991align=center 27 May 1992
align=center 13Peter CookMinister for Shipping and Aviation Supportalign=center 27 May 1992align=center 24 March 1993align=right days

List of ministers for works

The following individuals have been appointed as Minister for Works, or any precedent titles:

width=5 Orderwidth=150 Ministerwidth=150 colspan="2" Partywidth=75 Prime Ministerwidth=325 Titlewidth=150 Term startwidth=150 Term endwidth=130 Term in office
align=center 1Patrick LynchNational LaborHughesMinister for Works and Railwaysalign=center 14 November 1916align=center 17 February 1917align=right days
align=center 2William WattNationalistalign=center 17 February 1917align=center 27 March 1918align=right
align=center 3Littleton Groomalign=center 27 March 1918align=center 21 December 1921align=right
align=center 4Richard Fosteralign=center 21 December 1921align=center 9 February 1923align=right
align=center 5Percy StewartCountryBrucealign=center 9 February 1923align=center 8 August 1924align=right
align=center 6William Hillalign=center 8 August 1924align=center 29 November 1928align=right
align=center 7William GibsonCountryBruceMinister for Works and Railwaysalign=center 10 December 1928align=center 22 October 1929align=right days
align=center 8Joseph LyonsLaborScullinalign=center 22 October 1929 align=center 4 February 1931align=right
align=center 9Albert Greenalign=center 4 February 1931 align=center 6 January 1932align=right days
10Charles MarrUnited AustraliaLyonsalign=center 6 January 1932align=center 12 April 1932align=right days
align=center rowspan="2" 11Bert Lazzarini LaborCurtin
Forde
Minister for Worksalign=center align=center align=right days
ChifleyMinister for Works and Housingalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 12Nelson Lemmonalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 13Richard CaseyLiberalMenziesalign=center align=center align=right
14Wilfrid Kent Hughesalign=center align=center
Minister for Worksalign=center align=center
align=center 15Allen Fairhallalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 16Gordon Freethalign=center align=center align=right
17John Gortonalign=center align=center
Holtalign=center align=center
align=center 18Bert Kellyalign=center align=center align=right
19Reg WrightGortonalign=center align=center
McMahonalign=center align=center
align=center 20Gough WhitlamLaborWhitlamalign=center align=center align=right days
align=center 21Jim Cavanaghalign=center align=center align=right days
22Les Johnsonalign=center align=center
Minister for Housing and Constructionalign=center align=center
align=center 23Joe Riordanalign=center align=center align=right days
align=center 24John CarrickLiberalFraseralign=center align=center align=right days
align=center 25John McLeayMinister for Constructionalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 26Ray Groomalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 27Tom McVeighNational Countryalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 28Ralph HuntMinister for Transport and Constructionalign=center align=center align=right days
align=center 29Chris HurfordLaborHawkeMinister for Housing and Constructionalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 30Stewart Westalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 31David BeddallLaborKeatingMinister for Small Business, Construction and Customsalign=center align=center align=right
align=center 32Chris Schachtalign=center align=center align=right
33Paul Fletcher LiberalTurnbullalign=center align=center align=right days
Notes

Whitlam was one of a two-man ministry consisting of himself and Lance Barnard for two weeks until the full ministry was announced.

List of ministers for land transport

Since the creation of the enlarged portfolios in the third Hawke ministry on 24 July 1987 there has usually been a minister or assistant outside cabinet supporting the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, or any precedent title.

width=5 Orderwidth=150 Ministerwidth=150 colspan="2" Partywidth=75 Prime Ministerwidth=325 Titlewidth=150 Term startwidth=150 Term endwidth=130 Term in office
1Peter DuncanLaborHawkeMinister for Land Transport and Infrastructure Supportalign=center 24 July 1987align=center 19 January 1988 days
Minister for Transport and Communications Supportalign=center 19 January 1988align=center 15 February 1988
align=center 2Peter Morrisalign=center 15 February 1988align=center 2 September 1988align=right days
3Bob BrownMinister for Land Transport and Shipping Supportalign=center 2 September 1988align=center 4 April 1990
Minister for Land Transportalign=center 4 April 1990align=center 20 December 1991
Keatingalign=center 20 December 1991align=center 24 March 1993

List of ministers for road safety

width=5 Orderwidth=150 Ministerwidth=150 colspan="2" Partywidth=75 Prime Ministerwidth=325 Titlewidth=150 Term startwidth=150 Term endwidth=130 Term in office
align=center 1Catherine KingLaborGillardMinister for Road Safetyalign=center 25 March 2013align=center 1 July 2013align=right days
align=center 2Sharon BirdRuddalign=center 1 July 2013align=center 18 September 2013align=right days

List of assistant ministers

width=5 Orderwidth=150 Ministerwidth=150 colspan="2" Partywidth=75 Prime Ministerwidth=325 Titlewidth=150 Term startwidth=150 Term endwidth=130 Term in office
1Jamie BriggsLiberalAbbottAssistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Developmentalign=center align=center 15 September 2015
Turnbullalign=center align=center 21 September 2015
align=center 2Carol Brown LaborAlbaneseAssistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transportalign=center align=center align=right

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Press Conference - Parliament House, Canberra Prime Minister of Australia . 23 May 2022. 27 May 2022 . www.pm.gov.au.
  2. Web site: Ministries and Cabinets . 43rd Parliamentary Handbook: Historical information on the Australian Parliament . . 2010 . 9 July 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140813030853/http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p%3Badv%3Dyes%3BorderBy%3Dcustomrank%3Bpage%3D2%3Bquery%3DLazzarini%3Brec%3D12%3BresCount%3DDefault . 13 August 2014 . dmy.
  3. Web site: Ministerial Swearing-in Ceremony . Events . . 18 February 2016 . 19 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160301170128/http://gg.gov.au/events/ministerial-swearing-ceremony-0 . 1 March 2016 . dead .