Department of Commerce (Australia)

Department of Commerce

Department overview
Formed	13 April 1932[1]
Preceding Department	Department of Markets (II) - for trade and agriculture Department of Transport (I) - for navigation, shipping and lighthouses
Dissolved	22 December 1942[1]
Superseding agency	Department of Commerce and Agriculture
Jurisdiction	Commonwealth of Australia
Headquarters	City, Canberra
Minister responsible	William Scully
Department executives	Edward Joseph Mulvany, Secretary (1932‑34) Frank Murphy, Secretary (1934‑42)

The Department of Commerce was an Australian government department that existed between April 1932 and December 1942.

Scope

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

At the department's creation it was responsible for:^[1]

• Government trade, agriculture, shipping, navigation
• Advances for purchase of wire and wire netting to settlers
• Assisting the following organisations -
  • Australian Apple and Pear Export Council
  • Australian Dairy Council
  • Australian Maize Council
  • Australian Pig Industry Council
  • Canned Fruits Control Board
  • Dairy Produce Control Board
  • Dried Fruits Control Board
  • Dried Fruits Interstate Organisations
  • Wine Overseas Marketing Board
• Australian National Travel Association
• Board of Trade
• The Provisional Commonwealth Council of State Egg Producers' Organisations

Structure

The Department was an Commonwealth Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Commerce.^[1]

References

1. CA 28: Department of Commerce, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 29 December 2013