Girish Mahajan (Editor)

Department of Shipping and Transport

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Formed
  
11 May 1951

Headquarters
  
Melbourne

Dissolved
  
19 December 1972

Preceding Department
  
Department of Fuel, Shipping and Transport Department of Supply

Superseding agency
  
Department of Secondary Industry Department of Transport (III)

Jurisdiction
  
Commonwealth of Australia

The Department of Shipping and Transport was an Australian government department that existed between May 1951 and December 1972.

Contents

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.

According to the Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO) made on 21 June 1951, the Department dealt with:

  • Shipping, including the best utilization of the Australian Coastal Fleet, the chartering of ships, the operation of Commonwealth-owned and chartered ships.
  • Shipbuilding and the repair and maintenance of ships (other than naval vessels).
  • Movement of Commonwealth explosives.
  • Provision of facilities at Australian ports for handling Commonwealth explosives.
  • Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool.
  • Control and maintenance of coastal lights and other aids to navigation on the sea routes around the Australian coastline.
  • Control of marine services, such as surveys of ships, inspection of ships' gear, safe loading of ships, accommodation for ships' crews, engagement and discharge of seamen, examinations of masters, mates and engineers, licensing of ships to engage in coasting trade, wrecks and salvage, Courts of Marine Enquiry, Seamen's Compensation.
  • Collection of Colonial Light Dues and remission of collection to United Kingdom.
  • Commonwealth Railways.
  • Administration of Standardization of Railways Agreements.
  • Commonwealth aid for roads and works.
  • Australian Transport Advisory Council.

    • Structure

    The Department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Shipping and Transport.

    References

    Department of Shipping and Transport Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA