The Optical Munitions Panel is mentioned in a list of Special Wartime Authorities published by the Prime Minister's Department on 25 February 1942. The functions of the Panel were to scientifically appraise requirements, to develop designs and specifications, having regard to the limitations of Australian industry, and to produce prototypes of optical munitions generally. In addition, the Panel acted as scientific advisors to industries producing optical
munitions.
Members of the Panel were:
 Chairman : Prof. T.H. Laby, F.R.S.
 Members : J.S. Rogers
 L.J. Hartnett
 F.S. Daley
 Col. L.E.S. Barker
 Lt. Col. G. Adams
 Prof. E.J. Hartung
 Prof. A.L. McAulay
 Dr. G.H. Briggs
 Dr. R.v.d.R. Woolley
 Maj. R.C. Grover
 Prof. Kerr Grant
 Dr. E.O. Hercus
 Prof. Von Willer
 E.L. Sayce
 H.J. Foster
 N. Esserman
The Optical Munitions Panel does not appear in the 1947 Federal Guide. As it seems likely that the Panel would have ceased to function by then this has been taken as the closing date for the agency.
Sources:
1. Federal Guide 1943 p. 145
2. List of Special Commonwealth Wartime Authorities p. 35
 

Historical agency address
1942-?      : c/- Ordanance Production Directorate, Department of
              Munitions, 414 Collins St, Melbourne
1943-by1947 : c/- university of Melbourne, Carlton, Vic