Full description Background
Further research is required on the early development of the function. There would appear to be an early function which encompassed the storage of explosives for Government use. The dangerous goods function, however, focuses on the regulation of gunpowder and explosives whether stored and used by the Government or businesses/persons.
Further research is required to determine when the function of managing public magazines ceased.
The Importation and Custody of Gunpowder Statute 1864 and the Explosives Act 1877 provided for the appointment of public magazines or the licensing of magazines for the storage of gunpowder. The function therefore initially encompassed both the management of the public magazines and the licensing and inspection of magazines. This was one of the functions of the Department of Trade and Customs. In 1901 the function passed to the Chief Secretary's Department.
In 1965 the Explosives and Gas Examining Branch of the Chief Secretary's Department was transferred to the Mines Department. The Department of Minerals and Energy assumed responsibility in 1977 as successor to the Mines Department.
The Ministry for Employment and Training inherited responsibility in July 1984 for the Explosives Act 1960, the Inflammable Liquids Act 1966, the Liquified Gases Act 1968 and the Liquified Petroleum Gas Act 1958 from the Department of Minerals and Energy. The administrative unit responsible to July 1984 was the Hazardous Materials Division of the Department of Minerals and Energy.
The Dangerous Goods Act 1985, most of which was proclaimed on 1 October 1985, consolidated the law relating to explosives and other dangerous goods, and repealed the Liquid Fuel Act 1941, the Liquified Petroleum Gas Act 1958, the Explosives Act 1960, the Inflammable Liquids Act 1966, the Liquified Gases Act 1968, and the Dangerous Goods (Road Transport) Act 1984. A Dangerous Goods Branch was established in the Ministry of Employment and Training to assume responsibility for the dangerous goods function. Responsibility subsequently passed to the Minister for Employment and Industrial Affairs and the Minister for Labour.
In October 1992 responsibility was transferred to the Minister for Industry and Employment (VRG 116) and then to the Minister for Industry Services (VRG 108). The Chemicals and Plant Safety Division of the Department of Business and Employment (VA 3096) was responsible from October 1992 to 1996. From 1996 administration of the Act has been the responsibility of the Victorian Workcover Authority.
Data time period: 1836 to 2013