The Commonwealth Liquid Fuel Control Board was officially established on 6 July 1940 under the National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations. However the work of the Board began earlier, as evidenced by correspondence from the Board to its South Australian office dated 27 June 1940.

The Regulations also made provision for the establishment of Liquid Fuel Control Boards in each state and of a Liquid Fuel Control Authority in the Australian Capital Territory. These officially commenced on 21 August 1940 (1).
  
The Board had absolute control over the sale and use of liquid fuel, including substitute fuels and producer gas. It could, if it appeared in the interests of the defence of the Commonwealth or the efficient prosecution of the war, make provision for regulating, restricting or prohibiting the sale or use of liquid fuel. Every owner of a registered vehicle or engine could only obtain motor spirit or diesel oil under a fuel consumer's licence obtained on application to the Liquid Control Board. Retailers' licences were similarly obtained.
 
The first members of the Board were appointed on 16 August 1940 under the Regulations as amended on 14 August 1940 (Statutory Rules, 1940, No 161) and were:
 
 (a) J E England - Chairman (Controller of Liquid Fuel)
 (b) P D Phillips - Deputy Chairman;
 (c) G A L Wilson - (representing rural consumers);
 (d) P D Phillips - (representing consumers using heavy vehicles); 
 (e) C A M West - (representing other consumers);
 (f) D V Clifton - (representing the motor trade);
 (g) W J Cameron - (representing retailers of liquid fuel) (2).

On 24 December 1940, Statutory Rules 1940, No 293 repealed the Regulations establishing the Liquid Fuel Control Board. A provision was made, however, to the effect that every Board and Authority established under the repealed Regulations continued to exist. Membership of the Board changed over the next few years. By the end of the war W H Tucker, an Assistant Secretary in the Department of Supply and Shipping, was Chairman and Controller of Liquid Fuel.
 
The Board was officially abolished on 1 July 1948 by the National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations, Statutory Rules 1948, No 84. However, the position of Controller was apparently retained for a short period afterwards, with J B Cumming appointed to the position in July 1948 (3).

End notes:
(1) Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No 179 of 27 August 1940, p 1857
(2) Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No 163 of 16 August 1940, p 1782
(3) National Archives, Chifley papers: M1455, item 298

Historical agency address
by     1940-5Aug1940: Western House, 83 William Street,Melbourne
by     1940-6Aug1941: 475 Collins Street, Melbourne
by 6Aug1941-    1948: Century Building, 129 Swanston Street,
                      Melbourne
Legislation administered
Creation: National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations, Statutory Rules 1940, No. 129. Abolition: National Security (Liquid Fuel) Regulations, Statutory Rules, 1948, No. 84

Summary heading

Unregistered links

1940-1948:     Commonwealth Liquid Fuel Control Board, New South Wales

1940-1948:    Commonwealth Liquid Fuel Control Board, Queensland

1940-1948:    Commonwealth Liquid Fuel Control Board, Western Australia

1940-1948:    Commonwealth Liquid Fuel Control Board, Tasmania

1940-1948:    Commonwealth Liquid Fuel Control Authority, Australian Capital Authority