Department of Home Affairs (1901–1916)

The Department of Home Affairs was an Australian government department that existed between 1901 and 1916. It was one of seven inaugural government departments of Australia established at federation.

Department of Home Affairs
Department overview
Formed1 January 1901[1]
Dissolved14 November 1916[1]
Superseding Department
JurisdictionCommonwealth of Australia
HeadquartersMelbourne
Ministers responsible
Department executive

Scope

edit

Information about the department's functions and government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders, the annual Portfolio Budget Statements and in the Department's annual reports.

At its creation, the Department dealt with:[1]

  • Old-age pensions
  • People of special races
  • Acquisition of property
  • Acquisition of railways with state consent
  • Control of railways with state consent
  • Astronomical
  • Census and statistics
  • Public works
  • Federal capital
  • Interstate commissions
  • Elections
  • Public service

Structure

edit

The Department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Home Affairs.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d CA 8: Department of Home Affairs [I], Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 27 December 2013[permanent dead link]