Department of National Development (1950–72)
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 16 March 1950[1] |
| Preceding Department | Department of Supply and Development |
| Dissolved | 19 December 1972[1] |
| Jurisdiction | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Department executives |
Robert Jackson, Secretary (1950, 1951) Jack Stevens, Secretary (1950‑51) Harold Raggatt, Secretary (1951‑65) Bill Boswell, Secretary (1965‑69) Lloyd Bott, Secretary (1969‑72) |
The Department of National Development was an Australian government department that existed between January 1951 and December 1972.
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 its creation, the Department was responsible for the following:[1]
- Survey of immediate shortages in basic commodities and planning of improvements by increased production or import
- Promotion of decentralisation and regional development throughout the Commonwealth and the Territories of the Commonwealth
- Surveys of natural resources and development
- Planning the development of national resources generally, and in particular the development of primary and manufacturing industries and the stimulation of housing and building construction
- Administration of Commonwealth-State Housing Agreements
- Development planning in conjunction with the various States and, where necessary, co-ordination of such development planning, including the investigation of such national works as are referred to the Department by the Government
- In conjunction with Treasury and other interested Departments, to make arrangements with the respective States and Other Governmental authorities with regard to the cost and execution of development projects
- To control funds required for the approved programme of development work.
Structure
The Department was an Commonwealth Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for National Development.[1] In order of appointment, the Department's Ministers were: Richard Casey, Bill Spooner, David Fairbairn, Reginald Swartz and Lance Barnard.[1]