Department of Territories (1951–1968)

The Department of Territories was an Australian government department that existed between May 1951 and February 1968.

Department of Territories

Department overview
Formed	11 May 1951
Preceding Department	Department of the Interior (II) – for Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Northern Territory Department of External Territories (I) – all other functions
Dissolved	28 February 1968
Superseding Department	Department of the Interior (II) Department of External Territories (II)
Jurisdiction	Commonwealth of Australia
Ministers responsible	Paul Hasluck, Minister (1951–1963) Charles Barnes, Minister (1963–1968)
Department executives	Cecil Ralph Lambert, Secretary (1951–1964) George Warwick Smith, Secretary (1964–1968)

Scope

The department's functions were:

• Administration of territories:
  • Ashmore and Cartier Islands
  • Nauru
  • New Guinea
  • Norfolk Island
  • Northern Territory
  • Papua
• Australian New Guinea Production Control Board
• Australian School of Pacific Administration
• British Phosphate Commissioners
• Christmas Island Phosphate Commission
• Expropriated Properties (New Guinea)
• Shipping services to certain Pacific islands
• Shipping services within the Territories of Papua and New Guinea
• Transfer of prisoners from the external territories and the Northern Territory

Structure

The department was a Commonwealth Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Territories.