Department of Science (1975–78)

Department of Science

Department overview
Formed	22 December 1975[1]
Preceding Department	Department of Minerals and Energy - mineral and solar energy research Department of Science and Consumer Affairs - for science
Dissolved	5 December 1978[1]
Superseding agency	Department of Science and the Environment
Jurisdiction	Commonwealth of Australia
Headquarters	Canberra
Minister responsible	James Webster, Minister
Department executives	Hugh Ennor, Secretary (1975‑77) John Farrands, Secretary (1977‑78)

The Department of Science was an Australian government department that existed between December 1975 and December 1978. It was the second so-named Australian Government department.

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.

According to the National Archives of Australia, at its creation, the Department was responsible for:^[1]

• Science and technology, including research, support of research and support of civil space programs
• Meteorology
• Ionospheric Prediction Service
• Analytical laboratory service
• Weights and measures

Structure

The Department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Science, James Webster.^[1]

The Department was headed by a Secretary, initially Hugh Ennor (until October 1977) and then John Farrands.^[1][2]

Controversy

In December 1975, a task force of the Royal Commission on Australian Government accused the department of questionable logic, misinterpretation of facts and faulty data.^[3]

References

1. CA 1962: Department of Science [II], Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 12 December 2013
2. Cranston, Frank (6 October 1977). "'Eager beaver' went on to become science head". The Canberra Times. p. 8. Archived from the original on 12 March 2014.
3. Juddery, Bruce (29 December 1975). "Department of Science: Strong reaction on abolition call". The Canberra Times. p. 3. Archived from the original on 20 March 2014.