Department of Education (1972–83)


The Department of Education was an Australian government department that existed between December 1972 and March 1983.

History

The Department was one of eight new Departments established by the Whitlam Government, a wide restructuring that revealed some of the new government's program.

Scope

Information about the department's functions and/or 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 Education, including education in the Northern Territory of Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Norfolk Island.

Structure

The Department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Education, initially Kim Edward Beazley, then Margaret Guilfoyle as a caretaker Minister for the month leading up to the December 1975 election. Subsequent ministers were John Carrick, Wal Fife and finally Peter Baume.
The Department was headed by a Secretary, initially Hugh Ennor and then Kenneth Norman Jones.