Department of Business and Innovation

Full description

On 2 December 2010 the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD) (VA 4564) was renamed the Department of Business and Innovation (DBI) (VA 4925) by Order of the Governor-in-Council under section 10 ( c ) of the Public Administration Act 2004 (Victorian Government Gazette, S 485). The name change was part of machinery-of-government changes made by the newly elected Coalition Government in December 2010.

The change from DIIRD to DBI resulted in Skills Victoria transferring to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (VA 4840); part of Regional Development Victoria moving across to the Department of Planning and Community Development (VA 4838); and the public sector industrial relations function transferring to the Department of Treasury and Finance (VA 3745).

DBI's function was to engage with business and represent their needs at all levels of government; provide strategic economic planning advice and targeted business development assistance; encourage investment and trade; and market Victoria in Australia and internationally.

As the time of commencement, DBI reported to the Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Minister for Employment and Industrial relations, Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade, Minister for Major Projects, Minister for Technology, Minister responsible for the aviation industry.

As at September 2011, DBI consisted of the following 6 organisational divisions:
Trade and Industry Development; Corporate Services and Communications; Innovation and Technology; Investment and Major Projects (which included Major Projects Victoria); Policy and Tourism and Aviation.

On 9 April 2013 DBI was renamed the Department of State Development, Business and Innovation (DSDBI) (VA 5001) by Order of the Governor-in-Council under section 10 (c) of the Public Administration Act 2004 (Victorian Government Gazette, S 124). The name change was part of machinery-of-government changes made by the Coalition Government under the new leadership of Premier the Hon Dr Denis Napthine MP in April 2013.