Scope
Information about the department's functions and/or government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders, the annual Portfolio Budget Statements and in the department's annual reports. The department was diverse and dealt with a broad range of activities. According to the Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO) made on 30 November 1939, the department dealt with: *Aliens - registration of *Ashmore and Cartier Islands *Assisted Migration *Astronomy *Australian Capital Territory - administration of *Australian War Memorial *Conveyance of Members of Parliament and others *Co-ordination of Australian Transport Services *Elections and franchise *Emigration of children and aboriginals *Forestry *Geodesy *Immigration *Indentured Coloured labour *Lands and Surveys *Maintenance and operation of electric light, water and sewerage services in the Australian Capital Territory *Meteorology *Naturalisation *Northern Territory *Oil Investigation and prospecting *Passports *Preparation of design and execution of all Commonwealth Architectural and Engineering Works in the States, Northern Territory and ACT including works for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia *Properties transferred, rented or acquired *Public Works and Services *Prospecting for precious metals (assistance for) *Railways *River Murray Waters Commission *Rivers, roads and bridges *Solar observatoryStructure
The department was aNotes
References and further reading
* Ministries established in 1939