Department of Services and Property
Australian government department, 1972–1975
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Department of Services and Property was an Australian government department that existed between December 1972 and October 1975.
- Department of the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts – for control of land and property outside Australia
Department of Labour and National Service – for union ballots
Department of the Interior (II) – for electoral and property and survey matters
Department of Works (III) – for Commonwealth Fire Board
- Department of Urban and Regional Development – for control, use and management of land and property, engineering and topographical surveys
Department of Administrative Services (I) – for all other functions
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 19 December 1972[1] |
Preceding Department |
|
| Dissolved | 7 October 1975[1] |
Superseding Department |
|
| Jurisdiction | Commonwealth of Australia |
Minister responsible |
|
Department executives |
|
History
The Department was established under the Whitlam government; at the time people commented with amazement that the first new department created by the Whitlam government in Australia was the Department of Property.[2]
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 was responsible for the following:[1]
- Elections and referendums
- Provision of accommodation, staff and other facilities for members of the Parliament other than in Parliament House
- Acquisition and leasing of land and property in Australia of elsewhere for Commonwealth purposes management and disposal of property so acquired of leased
- Land, engineering and topographical surveys for Commonwealth purposes
Structure
The Department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Services and Property, Fred Daly.[1]
