Department of Communications (Australia)
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 18 September 2013[1] |
| Preceding Department | Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy |
| Jurisdiction | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Headquarters | Canberra |
| Employees | 643 (2013) |
| Annual budget | A$113.190 million (2012/013) |
| Ministers responsible |
Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications |
| Department executive | Drew Clarke, Secretary |
| Child agencies |
Australian Communications and Media Authority NBN Co Limited Australian Broadcasting Corporation Australian Postal Corporation Special Broadcasting Service Corporation |
| Website |
www |
The Australian Department of Communications is a department of the Government of Australia charged with the responsibility to help develop a vibrant, sustainable and internationally-competitive broadband, broadcasting and communications sector and, through this, promote the digital economy for the benefit of all Australians.[2]
The head of the department is the Secretary of the Department of Communications, currently Drew Clarke, who reports to the Minister for Communications, currently the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP.
History
The origins of the Department of Communications were formed in 1999. The current name for the department was assigned in 2013 and replaced the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE), whose functions were essentially the same. The DBCDE was formed in 2007 and was the primary department that superseded the former Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA). When DCITA was dissolved, responsibility for the arts was transferred to the new Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the responsibility for sports was transferred to the Department of Health and Ageing.
Operational functions
The Administrative Arrangements Order made on 18 September, following the 2013 federal election, details the following responsibilities to the department:[3]
- Broadband policy and programs
- Postal and telecommunications policies and programs
- Spectrum policy management
- Broadcasting policy
- National policy issues relating to the digital economy
- Content policy relating to the information economy
See also
References
- ↑ CA 9429: Department of Communications [III], Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 9 April 2014
- ↑ "Corporate Plan 2011-13". About us. Commonwealth of Australia. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ↑ "Administrative Arrangements Order" (PDF). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Commonwealth of Australia. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
