Department of State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism

Full description

Establishment

The Department of State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism was established by the State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism Act 1978 (No.9126) which was proclaimed on 23 May 1978.

The Department assumed the functions and responsibilities previously administered by the Department of State Development and Decentralisation (VA 552).

Economic and Regional Development

In particular the Department was responsible for:

promoting and developing the export capacity of industry in the State
sponsoring and promoting the full and balanced development of the State
promoting the development of secondary and tertiary industries throughout the state with particular emphasis on regional areas
provision of financial and other assistance to approved decentralised industry
promotion of commerce and small business
encouragement of interstate and overseas investments in Victoria.

Immigration

Although responsible to a Minister of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, the Ministry of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (VA 1042) was administratively located within the Department of State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism from its establishment in 1978 until July 1981 when the Ministry gained full departmental independence. It is therefore possible that records relating to immigration matters may be located within the central administrative records of this Department, which has also been included in the Immigration and Ethnic Affairs Group for the years 1978 to 1981. For a history of the immigration function, see VRG 68 Immigration and Ethnic Affairs.

Tourism

Tourism functions administered by the Division of Tourism within the Department included:

developing and promoting the tourist industry in Victoria
establishing and improving tourist facilities in Victoria
assisting persons and organisations interested in the development of the tourist industry
promoting publicity and research assisting any of the above.

The promotion and improvement of tourist facilities was facilitated through the Department's allocation of subsidies and loans from the Tourist Fund to local municipal authorities, government organisations and bodies.

Victorian Government Tourist Bureaux

Under the Authority contained in the State Development Act (No.8081) the Department (VA 2881) operated and administered the five Victorian Government Tourist Bureaux in Victoria and those located in Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. Following the repeal of that legislation although there was no specific power in the State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism Act (No.9126) 1978 to operate tourist bureaux, the Department (VA 2881) continued tourist bureaux operations, under the general powers of the Minister, pursuant to section 7 of the latter Act.

However from 1 July 1978 the Victorian Government Travel Authority (VA 2990) commenced operation with responsibility for the management of the tourist bureaux under the powers contained in the Victorian Government Travel Authority Act 1977 (No.9083).

During 1979 responsibility for the general publicity and promotion of tourist facilities and attractions in Victoria was transferred from the Department of State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism (VA 2881) to the Authority (VA 2990).

For a brief account of the administration of tourism between 1888 and 1987 see VRG 91 Tourism III.

Abolition

During the first half of 1981 the remaining functions of the Department of State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism were gradually assumed by the Ministry for Economic Development (VA 2880) and the Act which established the Department was formally repealed with effect from 1 July 1981.

Location of Records

Some departmental records have been transferred.

See also List of Holdings 2nd edition 1985, sections 13.3.4. (State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism) and 3.10.2. (immigration records).