The Department of the Interior was an Australian government department that existed between April 1939 and December 1972. It was the second so-named Australian government department.
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.
The department was diverse and dealt with a broad range of activities.[3] According to the Administrative Arrangements Order made on 30 November 1939, the department dealt with:[1]
Aliens - registration of
Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Assisted Migration
Astronomy
Australian Capital Territory - administration of
Australian War Memorial
Conveyance of Members of Parliament and others
Co-ordination of Australian Transport Services
Elections and franchise
Emigration of children and aboriginals
Forestry
Geodesy
Immigration
Indentured Coloured labour
Lands and Surveys
Maintenance and operation of electric light, water and sewerage services in the Australian Capital Territory
Meteorology
Naturalisation
Northern Territory
Oil Investigation and prospecting
Passports
Preparation of design and execution of all Commonwealth Architectural and Engineering Works in the States, Northern Territory and ACT including works for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Properties transferred, rented or acquired
Public Works and Services
Prospecting for precious metals (assistance for)
Railways
River Murray Waters Commission
Rivers, roads and bridges
Solar observatory
Structure
The department was a Commonwealth Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for the Interior.[1]
