Department of Science (1972–1975)

Department of Science

Department overview
Formed	19 December 1972[1]
Preceding Department	Department of Education and Science – for scientific research and support of research; weights and measures and national standards
Dissolved	6 June 1975[1]
Superseding Department	Department of Minerals and Energy – for Minerals and solar energy research Department of Science and Consumer Affairs – for all other functions
Jurisdiction	Commonwealth of Australia
Headquarters	Canberra
Minister responsible	Bill Morrison, Minister for Science
Department executive	Hugh Ennor, Secretary

The Department of Science was an Australian government department that existed between December 1972 and June 1975.

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.

According to the Administrative Arrangements Order issued 19 December 1972, at its creation, the Department was responsible for:[2]

• Science and technology, including research and support of research
• Meteorology
• Ionospheric prediction service
• Patents of inventions and designs, and trade marks
• Weights and measures

Structure

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

The Secretary of the Department was Hugh Ennor.[1]

References

1. "CA 1486: Department of Science [I], Central Office", National Archives of Australia, retrieved 9 February 2021
2. Administrative Arrangements Order of 19 December 1972 (PDF), National Archives of Australia, 19 December 1972, archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2013