Prices Control Branch (also known as Victorian Prices Branch), Law Department

Full description

Establishment and Functions

Following a referendum in 1948, the Commonwealth Government relinquished responsibility for price control. From September 1948, the State Government assumed responsibility for the administration of price control in Victoria.

A Prices Decontrol Commissioner was appointed under the provisions of the Prices Regulation Act, 1948. The Commissioner was appointed by the Governor in Council and was not subject to the provisions of the Public Service Act. Under the provisions of the Prices Regulation (Amendment) Act 1951 the Commissioner became known as the Prices Commissioner. The Prices Regulation Act also provided for the appointment of additional officers to administer price control in Victoria. A Prices Control Branch (also known as the Victorian Prices Branch) was established and located within the Law Department (VA 864).

The Prices Regulation Act was to be administered with a view to ensuring:

the prevention of undue increases in prices and rates for goods, services and land, particularly food, clothing and housing during the period of post-war readjustment
the regulation of prices and rates for goods and services regarded as essential or which were in short supply
the progressive removal of price control

The Commissioner had the power to determine maximum prices and rates for declared goods and services. Price control ceased in Victoria on 31 December 1954.

Location of Records

Some records of the Prices Control Branch are in the custody of the Public Record Office and are listed with the records of the Law Department (VA 864). See VPRS 10250, VPRS 10251, VPRS 10252.