Creation

The Australian Dairy Corporation was established on 1 July 1975 under the Dairy Produce Act 1975 (Australian Government Gazette, No. S124 of 27 June 1975). The corporation replaced the Australian Dairy Produce Board (CA 84) which was abolished by the Act.

Abolition

The Australian Dairy Corporation was abolished on 30 June 2003 and joining with the Dairy Research and Development Council formed Dairy Australia on the same day.

Functions

The Corporation was a body corporate, having a common seal, able to acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property and can sue and be sued in its corporate name.

The functions of the Corporation were:

(a) to promote the export from Australia of dairy produce;
(b) to control the export from Australia of dairy produce;
(c) to control the sale and distribution of dairy produce after
its export from Australia;
(d) to promote trade and commerce in dairy produce among the
States, between States and Territories and within the
Territories;
(e) to improve the production and encourage the consumption of
dairy produce in the Territories; and
(f) such other functions in connexion with dairy produce as are
provided by the regulations.

The Corporation made recommendations to the Minister on the control of export and the sale and distribution after exports of Australian dairy produce. It may make reports and suggestions to the Minister on such matters as the quality, standards and grading of any particular class or kind of dairy produce to be exported from Australia. Subject to the approval of the Minister, the Corporation on its own behalf or in collaboration with any other person may take any action which is likely to lead to the improvement of the quality of dairy produce or the prevention of deterioration before or during transport from Australia of dairy produce or to expand existing markets or secure new markets for dairy produce. The Corporation may apply for, acquire, hold and dispose of letters patent for an invention or an interest in any such letters patent.

The members of the Corporation at establishment were:
A.A.S. Webster - Chairman;
G.R. Sample - Deputy Chairman;
J.P. Bennett and W.H. Pyle - (all representing Australian dairy farmers);
J.M. McGuire, W.R. Dickson, G.A.J. Beytagh - (representing manufacturers of dairy produce);
J.F. O'Bryan - (representing the Australian Government); and
I. Saulwick and J. David - (members experienced in marketing and production of dairy produce, having experience in commerce,
finance, economics, science or industrial matters).

The Chairman was a full time member and his appointment commenced on 1 September 1975. All other members are part-time and their appointment commenced on 1 July 1975. (Australian Government Gazette No. G25 of 1 July 1975)
The Corporation has an Executive Committee which exercises such powers and functions of the Corporation as the Corporation, by resolution, determines.

Historical agency address

1975-1988: Dairy Industry House, 576 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
1988-1998: 1601 Malvern Road, Glen Iris, Victoria
1998-2003: Level 5, IBM Tower, 60 City Road, Southbank

Legislation administered

Creation: Commonwealth of Australia Acts, No. 82 of 1975, Dairy Produce Act 1975

Agency controlled unregistered

? Executive Committee, Australian Dairy Corporation
Australian Dairy Board, London Office
Australian Dairy Board, Japan Office