Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business

The Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business was an Australian government department that existed between July 1997 and October 1998.

Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business

Department overview
Formed	18 July 1997
Preceding Department	Department of Industry, Science and Tourism Department of Industrial Relations (II)
Dissolved	21 October 1998
Superseding Department	Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business Department of Transport and Regional Services
Jurisdiction	Commonwealth of Australia
Headquarters	Canberra
Minister responsible	Peter Reith, Minister
Department executives	David Rosalky, Secretary (1997–1998) Peter Shergold, Secretary (1998)

Scope

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 was responsible for the following:

• Industrial relations, including conciliation and arbitration in relation to industrial disputes
• Promotion of sound industrial relations policies, practices and machinery
• Public Service pay and conditions
• Remuneration Tribunals
• Occupational health, safety, rehabilitation and compensation
• Affirmative action
• Equal employment opportunity
• Tradespersons' rights regulations
• Small business

Structure

The Department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Small Business, Peter Reith.