Department of State Development, Business and Innovation

Full description

On 9 April 2013 the Department of Business and Innovation (DBI) (VA 4925) 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.

The change from DBI to DSDBI not only retained former DBI portfolios of innovation, small business, tourism, manufacturing, aviation, technology, major events and major projects, but also incorporated a new state development policy branch to provide whole-of-government co-ordination of strategic investment projects, and expanded to include regional development from DPCD (VA 4838), energy and resources and whole-of government ICT. The policy unit from DBI advising on private sector industrial relations was transferred to the Department of Treasury and Finance (VA 3745), effective 3 June 2013.

DSDBI's function was to serve as the Victorian Government's lead agency for the promotion and facilitation of the State's economic development by developing and implementing a diverse range of programs, initiatives and projects designed to attract and facilitate investment, encourage exports, generate job opportunities, stimulate innovation and promote Victoria nationally and internationally.

At the time of commencement, DSDBI reported to the Minister for Employment and Trade, the Minister for Energy and Resources, the Minister for Industrial relations, the Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, the Minister for Major Projects, the Minister for Manufacturing, the Minister for Regional and Rural Development, the Minister for Regional Cities, the Minister for State Development, the Minister for Technology, the Minister for Tourism and Major Events and the Minister responsible for the Aviation Industry.

As at April 2013, DSDBI consisted of the following 6 organisational divisions: Corporate Services and Communications; Trade and Industry Development; Innovation and Technology; Investment and Major Projects (which included Major Projects Victoria); Policy; and Tourism and Aviation. Other associated bodies include the Small Business Ministerial Council and the Multicultural Business Ministerial Council.

On 1 January 2015 DSDBI was renamed the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) (VA 5034) by Order of the Governor-in-Council under section 10 of the Public Administration Act 2004 (Victorian Government Gazette, S 432, 4 Dec 2014). The name change was part of machinery-of-government changes made by the newly elected Labor Government under the leadership of Premier the Hon Daniel Andrews MP.