Department of Defence Co-ordination


The Department of Defence Co-ordination was an Australian government department that existed between November 1939 and April 1942.

History

The department was formed shortly after Australia declared war on Germany in September 1939, joining World War II. In November 1939 the Department of Defence was separated into the Department of Defence Co-ordination and Departments of Air, Navy and Army.

Scope

Information about the department's functions and/or government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders, the annual budget statements and in the Department's annual reports.
When it was established, the Department dealt with:
The Department was a Commonwealth Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Defence Co-ordination: Robert Menzies and John Curtin.
The Secretary of the Department was Frederick Shedden.