Agency number |
CA 5992 |
Title |
Department of Transport and Communications, Central Office |
Date range |
24 Jul 1987 - 23 Dec 1993 |
Series recorded by this agency |
Series |
Organisation controlling |
|
Location |
Australian Capital Territory |
Agency status |
Department of State |
Function |
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Agency note |
The Department of Transport and Communications was established on 24 July 1987 as part of the re-organisation of Commonwealth
Departments. It was one of the super-ministries and was essentially an amalgamation of the Departments of Communications (CA 3067), Aviation (CA 3253) and Transport [IV] (CA 3501). At its inception it dealt with the following principal matters.
Shipping and marine navigation
Land transport (including road safety)
Civil aviation and air navigation
Aviation Security
Postal and telecommunications services
Management of the electromagnetic spectrum
Television and radio
The Department also had responsibilty for the following legislation:
Air Navigation Act 1920
Air Navigation (Charges) Act 1952
Air Navigation Legislation (Validation and Interpretation) Act 1982
Airline Equipment (Loan Guarantee) Acts
Airlines Agreement Act 1981
Airlines Equipment Act 1958
Airlines Equipment (Loan Guarantee) Act 1981
Airports (Business Concessions) Act 1959
Airports (Surface Traffic) Act 1960
Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Acts
Australian Bicentennial Road Development Trust Fund Act 1982
Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Transitional Provisions and
Consequential Amendments) Act 1983
Australian Land Transport (Financial Assistance) Act 1985
Australian National Airlines Commission Retention Act 1984
Australian National Railways Commission Act 1983
Australian National Railways Commission (Transitional Provisions
and Consequential Amendments) Act 1983
Australian Shipping Commission Act 1956
Australian Shipping Commission (Additional Capital) Act 1985
Bass Strait Sea Passenger Service Agreement Act 1984
Broadcasting Act 1942
Broadcasting (Ownership and Control) Act 1987
Civil Aviation (Carriers Liability) Act 1959
Commonwealth Aid Roads Act 1969
Departure Tax Act 1978
Departure Tax Collection Act 1978, except to the extent administered
by the Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic
Affairs
Explosives Act 1961
Federal Airports Corporation Act 1986
Independent Air Fares Committee Act 1981
Inter-State Commission Act 1975
Interstate Road Transport Act 1985
Interstate Road Transport Charge Act 1985
King Island Harbour Agreement Act 1973
King Island Shipping Service Agreement Act 1974
Lighthouses Act 1911
National Railway Network (Financial Assistance) Act 1979
National Roads Act 1974
Navigation Act 1912
Overseas Telecommunications Act 1946
Parliamentary Proceedings Broadcasting Act 1946
Port Augusta to Whyalla Railway Act 1970
Port Statistics Act 1977
Postal and Telecommunications Commissions (Transitional
Provisions) Act 1975
Postal Services Act 1975
Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability) Act 1981
Protection of the Sea (Discharge of Oil from Ships) Act 1981
Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Act 1981
Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983
Protection of the Sea (Shipping Levy) Act 1981
Protection of the Sea (Shipping Levy Collection) Act 1981
Queensland Beef Cattle Roads Agreement Acts
Radiocommunications Act 1983
Radiocommunications (Frequency Reservation Certificate Tax) Act 1983
Radiocommunications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982
Radiocommunications (Receiver Licence Tax) Act 1983
Radiocommunications Taxes Collection Act 1983
Radiocommunications (Temporary Permit Tax) Act 1983
Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential
Amendments) Act 1983
Radiocommunications (Transmitter Licence Tax) Act 1983
Radio Licence Fees Act 1964
Railway Agreement (Adelaide to Crystal Brook Railway) Act 1980
Railway Agreement (New South Wales and South Australia) Act 1968
Railway Agreement (Queensland) Acts
Railway Agreement (Tasmania) Act 1971
Railway Agreement (Western Australia) Acts
Railway Equipment Agreement (South Australia) Act 1961
Railway Standardization (New South Wales and Victoria) Agreement
Act 1958
Railway Standardization (South Australia) Agreement Act 1949
Railways Agreement (South Australia) Act 1975
Railways (Tasmania) Act 1975
Roads Acts Amendment Acts
Roads Grants Acts
Satellite Communications Act 1984
Sea-Carriage of Goods Act 1924
Seat of Government Railway Act 1928
Shipping Registration Act 1981
Ships (Capital Grants) Act 1987
States Grants (Beef Cattle Roads) Act 1968
States Grants (Roads) Act 1977
States Grants (Roads Interim Assistance) Act 1977
States Grants (Urban Public Transport) Acts
Submarine Cables and Pipelines Protection Act 1963
Tarcoola to Alice Springs Railway Act 1974
Telecommunications Act 1975
Television Licence Fees Act 1964
Trade Practices Act 1974, Part X and sections 150 to 154 inclusive
Transport (Planning and Research) Act 1974
Transport Planning and Research (Financial Assistance) Act 1977
Urban Public Transport (Research and Planning) Act 1974
On 19 January 1988 in the Prime Minister's press release of that date it was announced that the Hon Clive Holding would be Minister for Transport and Communications Support replacing the Hon Peter Duncan. On 8 March 1988 in a media statement of the Minister for Transport and Communications, Senator Gareth Evans, it was announced that the Minister for Transport and Communications Support would be the Hon Peter Morris.
In the Administrative Arrangements Order of 3 March 1988
(Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. S64, 4 March 1988) the following Acts were omitted having been repealed:
Commonwealth Aid Roads Act 1969
Railway Agreement (New South Wales and South Australia) Act 1968
Railway Agreement (Queensland) Acts
Railway Agreement (Tasmania) Act 1971
Railway Agreement (Western Australia) Acts
Railway Equipment Agreement (South Australia) Act 1961
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) commenced operations on 1 July 1988. The CAA is responsible for both safety standard setting and the daily regulatory control of the aviation industry. It also has operational responsibility for traffic control, flight advisory services, communications, navigation and surveillance systems, and rescue and fire-fighting services at airports.
Domestic and international aviation policy as well as aviation security responsibility has remained with the Department of
Transport and Communications.
In September 1987 the administration of the Department's functions was organised into the following groups:
Transport group which consisted of the following Divisions:
Domestic Shipping Policy
International Shipping Policy
Land Transport Policy
Maritime Safety
Roads
Road safety
The Transport group also had regional offices in all the states, the Northern Territory Office was combined with the South Australian Office.
Communications group which consisted of the following Divisions:
Communications Strategy
Broadcasting Policy and Planning
Broadcasting Services
Space Telecommunications and Postal Policy
Radio Frequency Management
Aviation group which consisted of the following Divisions:
Airways
Airports
Flight Standards
Domestic Policy
International Policy
The Aviation group also had a Bureau of Air Safety Investigation and Regional Offices in all states, the Northern Territory Office being combined with the South Australian Office. It also had overseas representation in Canada and the United States of America.
Corporate Services Group which consisted of the following Divisions:
Resources
Personnel and Management Services
Under the umbrella of the Department was the Minister for Land Transport and Infrastructure Support, the Hon Peter Duncan.
In the Administrative Arrangements Order of 31 January 1992 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. S 37, 5 February 1992) the following Acts were repealed by the Airlines Agreement (Termination) Act 1990:
Airlines Agreement Act 1981
Airlines Equipment Act 1958
Airlines Equipment (Loan Guarantee) Act 1981
Independent Air Fares Committee Act 1981.
The following Acts were repealed by the Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1991:
Telecommunications Act 1989
Telecommunications (Application Fees) Act 1989.
The Postal and Telecommunications Commissions (Transitional Provisions) Act 1975 and the Sea-Carriage of Goods Act 1924 were also repealed in the same Administrative Arrangements Order.
The Department became responsible for the following new Acts:
Airlines Agreement (Termination) Act 1990
Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990
Australian National Airlines Commission Retention Act 1984
Marine Navigation (Regulatory Functions) Levy Act 1991
Marine Navigation (Regulatory Functions) Levy Collection Act 1991
Telecommunications Act 1991
Telecommunications (Application Fees) Act 1991
Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Fees) Act 1991
Telecommunications (Numbering Fees) Act 1991
Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential
Amendments) Act 1991
Telecommunications (Universal Service Levy) Act 1991.
Also, in the same Administrative Arrangements Order the Australian Centennial Roads Development Act 1988 was given a new citation - the Australian Land Transport Development Act 1988, the Airline Equipment (Loan Guarantee) Acts was listed as Airlines Equipment (Loan Guarantee) Acts and the Trade Practices Act 1974, PartX and sections 150 to 153 inclusive was reworded to Trade Practices Act 1974, Part X and sections 150 to 154 inclusive.
In the Administrative Arrangements Order of 24 March 1993 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No S91, 24 March 1993) the Department lost the Matter of 'Television and radio' but this was replaced by the wider term: Broadcasting services.
The Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Act was replaced by a new multiple entry, Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Acts.
The AUSSAT Act 1984 was repealed by the AUSSAT Repeal Act 1991.
The Australian National Airlines Commission Retention Act 1984 was repealed by the Australian Airlines (Conversion to Public Company) Act 1988.
The Australian Telecommunications Corporation Act 1989 and the OTC Act 1946 were repealed by the Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1991.
The following Acts were repealed by the Broadcasting Services (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992:
Broadcasting Act 1942
Broadcasting (Limited Licences) Fees Act 1988
Broadcasting (Ownership and Control) Acts
Broadcasting (Retransmission Permits and Temporary Transmission
Permits) Fees Act 1988
The Radiocommunications Act 1983 and the Radiocommunications
(Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1983 were both replaced by new multiple entries:
Radiocommunications Acts
Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential
Amendments) Acts.
In the same Administrative Arrangements Order the Department gained responsibility for the following new legislation:
Appropriation (Urban Public Transport) Acts
Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Corporation Act 1991
Broadcasting Services Act 1992
Broadcasting Services (Transitional Provisions and Consequential
Amendments) Act 1992
Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1991
International Air Services Commission Act 1992
National Rail Corporation Agreement Act 1992
National Road Transport Commission Act 1991
Qantas Sale Act 1992, Part 3, sections 7 to 13 inclusive
Radiocommunications Acts
Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992
Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Levy Act 1992
Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Levy Collection Act 1992
Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation (Transitional Provisions
and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992
Telecommunications (Public Mobile Licence Charge) Act 1992.
The Department of Transport and Communications was abolished on 23 December 1993 pursuant to the Administrative Arrangements Order of that date (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No GN1, 12 January 1994). It was replaced by the Department of Communications [II] (CA 7852) and the Department of Transport [V] (CA 7854).
Ministers to the Department have been:
24 Jul 1987 - 1 Sep 1988 : Senator the Hon Gareth Evans
2 Sep 1988 - 4 Apr 1990 : Hon Ralph Willis
4 Apr 1990 - 9 Dec 1991 : Hon Kim Beazley
9 Dec 1991 - 27 Dec 1991 : Hon John Kerin
27 Dec 1991 - 19 May 1992 : Senator the Hon Graham Richardson
27 May 1992 - 23 Dec 1993 : Senator the Hon Robert Lindsay Collins
Secretaries to the Department have been:
24 Jul 1987 - 30 Sep 1988 : Dr P Wilenski AO
1 Oct 1988 - 23 Dec 1993 : G C EvansHistorical agency address1987-1993: Communications Group, Benjamin Offices, Block 7 (purple),
Cnr Benjamin Way & College Street, Belconnen ACT
1987-1993: Aviation Group, Civic Advance Bank Building, Allara
Street, Canberra
1987-1993: Drakeford Building, 72 Northbourne Ave, Braddon ACT
1987-1993: Transport Group, Cnrs Cooyong Street, Northbourne Avenue &
Mort Street, Braddon ACTLegislation administeredCreation: Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. S183, 24 July 1987
Abolition: Notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. GN 1, 12 January 1994 |
Previous agency |
24 Jul 1987 CA 3067, Department of Communications [I], Central Office, Canberra - All functions 24 Jul 1987 CA 3253, Department of Aviation, Central Office - All functions 24 Jul 1987 CA 3501, Department of Transport [IV], Central Office - For all functions and legislative responsibilities 01 Sep 1992 CA 7211, Department of Transport and Communications, Corporate Group, South Australia - For all functions except maritime 25 Jun 1993 CA 6674, Department of Transport and Communications, Aviation Division, Regional Office, Western Australia 14 Jul 1993 CA 7481, Department of Transport and Communications, (Corporate Management Group), Queensland - Corporate Management Division 15 Oct 1993 CA 6673, Department of Transport and Communications, Transport Division, Regional Office, Western Australia - Transport Functions
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Subsequent agency |
01 Jan 1988 CA 6913, Federal Airports Corporation, Central Office 01 Jul 1988 CA 6842, Civil Aviation Authority, Central Office 01 Apr 1989 CA 8659, Federal Airports Corporation, Canberra Airport, Australian Capital Territory 31 Dec 1990 CA 7235, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Central Office 01 Jul 1992 CA 8600, National Transmission Agency 05 Oct 1992 CA 7939, Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA), Head Office, Canberra - Station Planning Branch 01 Jul 1993 CA 7736, Spectrum Management Agency, Central Office - Radiocommunications Division and elements of the Corporate Management Division 23 Dec 1993 CA 7852, Department of Communications [II], Central Office - for the communications functions 23 Dec 1993 CA 7854, Department of Transport [V], Central Office - for the transport functions
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Controlled agency |
24 Jul 1987 - 01 Feb 1992 CA 5363, National Satellite Task Force/ (by 1980) Satellite Project Office, Post and Telecommunications Department/ (from 1980) Satellite System Group, Overseas Telecommunications Commission (OTC)/ (from 1981) Aussat Pty Ltd 24 Jul 1987 - 31 Dec 1990 CA 5862, Department of Transport and Communications (Transport Group), Queensland 24 Jul 1987 - 28 Feb 1993 CA 5867, Department of Transport and Communications, (Aviation Group), Queensland 24 Jul 1987 - 28 Feb 1993 CA 6343, Department of Transport and Communications, Aviation Group, New South Wales Regional Office 24 Jul 1987 - 15 Oct 1993 CA 6673, Department of Transport and Communications, Transport Division, Regional Office, Western Australia 24 Jul 1987 - 25 Jun 1993 CA 6674, Department of Transport and Communications, Aviation Division, Regional Office, Western Australia 24 Jul 1987 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 6683, Department of Transport and Communications, [Aviation Group], South Australia 24 Jul 1987 - 01 Jan 1991 CA 6684, Department of Transport and Communications, [Transport Group], South Australia/Northern Territory 24 Jul 1987 - 01 Jul 1988 CA 6708, Aviation Group, Victoria-Tasmania Region - Aviation Group, Central Office 24 Jul 1987 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 6714, Department of Transport and Communications, Victoria Region 24 Jul 1987 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 6763, Department of Transport and Communications, Tasmanian Region 24 Jul 1987 - 08 Sep 1992 CA 6811, Department of Transport and Communications, Transport Group, New South Wales Regional Office 24 Jul 1987 - 01 Jul 1993 CA 6834, Department of Transport and Communications, Communications Operations Division, New South Wales 24 Jul 1987 - 01 Feb 1992 CA 2067, Australian Telecommunications Corporation (Telecom) 24 Jul 1987 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 2069, Australian Postal Corporation, Headquarters 24 Jul 1987 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 2105, Australian National Railways Commission, Head Office, South Australia 24 Jul 1987 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 2260, Australian Broadcasting Authority, Head Office, Sydney 24 Jul 1987 - 30 Jun 1993 CA 2332, Radio Frequency Management Division, State Office, Victoria (from 1987) Radio Communications Operations Branch, Victoria 24 Jul 1987 - 01 Jul 1993 CA 2334, Radio Frequency Management Division, State Office, Queensland (from 1987) Radio Communications Operations Branch - Radio Communications Division 24 Jul 1987 - 31 Aug 1988 CA 2335, Radio Frequency Management Division, State Office, South Australia 24 Jul 1987 - 01 Jul 1993 CA 2336, Radio Frequency Management Division, State Office, Western Australia/ (by 1987) Transport and Communications, Communications Operation Branch, Perth, Western Australia 24 Jul 1987 - 30 Jun 1989 CA 252, Australian Coastal Shipping Commission, Head Office/ (from 1974) Australian Shipping Commission, Head Office (trading as the Australian National Line) 24 Jul 1987 - 01 Feb 1992 CA 270, Overseas Telecommunications Commission (OTC) (Australia) 24 Jul 1987 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 2922, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) 24 Jul 1987 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 3589, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Head Office 24 Jul 1987 - 01 Jan 1988 CA 3756, Bureau of Transport Economics [II] 24 Jul 1987 - 31 Jul 1993 24 Jul 1987 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 7277, Bureau of Air Safety Investigation, Central Office 01 Jan 1988 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 7487, Bureau of Transport and Communications Economics 01 Jul 1988 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 6842, Civil Aviation Authority, Central Office 01 Aug 1988 - 01 Jul 1993 CA 6902, Radio Communications Operations Branch, South Australia 01 Jul 1989 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 7120, Australian Telecommunications Authority (AUSTEL) 30 Jun 1990 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 7128, Department of Transport and Communications, Corporate Management Division, New South Wales 30 Jun 1990 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 7129, Department of Transport and Communications, Aviation Security Division, New South Wales 01 Jan 1991 - 01 Sep 1992 CA 7211, Department of Transport and Communications, Corporate Group, South Australia 01 Jan 1991 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 7235, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Central Office 01 Jan 1991 - 14 Jul 1993 CA 7481, Department of Transport and Communications, (Corporate Management Group), Queensland 15 Jan 1992 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 8241, National Transport Commission 01 Feb 1992 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 7643, Telstra Corporation Limited, Head Office, Melbourne Victoria 01 Jul 1992 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 8600, National Transmission Agency 01 Jul 1992 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 7558, International Air Services Commission 05 Oct 1992 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 7939, Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA), Head Office, Canberra 23 Jun 1993 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 9320, Seafarers Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Authority 25 Jun 1993 - 31 Aug 1993 CA 4866, Derby Airport [Western Australia] 01 Jul 1993 - 23 Dec 1993 CA 7736, Spectrum Management Agency, Central Office
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Persons associated with agency |
24 Jul 1987 - 02 Sep 1988 CP 339, Hon Gareth John EVANS AO, QC - Minister 24 Jul 1987 - 19 Jan 1988 CP 375, Hon Peter DUNCAN - Minister for Land Transport and Infrastructure Support 24 Jul 1987 - 30 Sep 1988 CP 451, Dr Peter Stephen WILENSKI AC, AO - Secretary 18 Sep 1987 - 16 Sep 1993 CP 621, Roger David Bernard BEALE AO - Associate Secretary 19 Jan 1988 - 15 Feb 1988 CP 434, Hon Allan Clyde HOLDING - Minister for Transport and Communications Support 19 Jan 1988 - 02 Sep 1988 CP 995, Senator the Hon Robert Francis RAY - Minister Assisting 15 Feb 1988 - 02 Sep 1988 CP 436, Hon Peter Frederick MORRIS - Minister for Transport and Communications Support 02 Sep 1988 - 04 Apr 1990 CP 629, Hon Ralph WILLIS AO - Minister 02 Sep 1988 - 04 Apr 1990 CP 647, Hon Robert James BROWN AM - Minister for Land Transport and Shipping Support 01 Oct 1988 - 23 Dec 1993 CP 653, Graham Charles EVANS AO - SECRETARY 06 Apr 1989 - 04 Apr 1990 CP 529, Hon Roslyn Joan KELLY AO - Minister for Telecommunications and Aviation Support 04 Apr 1990 - 09 Dec 1991 CP 337, Hon Kim Christian BEAZLEY AC - Minister 04 Apr 1990 - 27 May 1992 CP 641, Hon Warren Edward SNOWDON - Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister 04 Apr 1990 - 24 Mar 1993 CP 647, Hon Robert James BROWN AM - Minister for Land Transport 07 May 1990 - 27 Dec 1991 CP 628, Hon Robert Lindsay COLLINS AO - Minister for Shipping and Aviation Support 09 Dec 1991 - 27 Dec 1991 CP 627, Hon John Charles KERIN AM - Minister 27 Dec 1991 - 27 May 1992 CP 628, Hon Robert Lindsay COLLINS AO - Minister for Shipping and Aviation 27 Dec 1991 - 18 May 1992 CP 427, Hon Graham Frederick RICHARDSON - Minister 27 May 1992 - 24 Mar 1993 CP 432, Hon Peter Francis Salmon COOK - Minister for Shipping and Aviation Support 27 May 1992 - 23 Dec 1993 CP 628, Hon Robert Lindsay COLLINS AO - Minister 24 Mar 1993 - 23 Dec 1993 CP 495, Hon David Peter BEDDALL - Minister for Communications 06 Sep 1993 - 23 Dec 1993 CP 511, Rodney Graham SIMS - Deputy Secretary
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Date registered |
21 Oct 1987 |
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