Department of Works (1938–39)

Department of Works
Department overview
Formed24 November 1938[1]
Preceding Department
Dissolved26 April 1939
Superseding agency
JurisdictionCommonwealth of Australia
HeadquartersCanberra
Minister responsible
  • Harold Thorby, Minister
Department executive
  • Maurice Mehaffy, Director-General

The Department of Works was an Australian government department that existed between November 1938 and April 1939.

Scope[edit]

Information about the department's functions and government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders and in the Department's annual report.

According to the Administrative Arrangements Order issued on 6 April 1939, the Department dealt with:[1]

  • Geodesy (international map of the world and 129th meridian)
  • Lands and surveys
  • Properties transferred, acquired and rented
  • Public works and services
  • 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
  • Maintenance and operation of electric light, water and sewerage services in the ACT
  • Rivers, roads and bridges
  • River Murray Waters Commission

Structure[edit]

The Department was a Commonwealth Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Works.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c CA 30: Department of Works [I], Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 21 December 2013