Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (Australia)

The Australian Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government is the Hon Anthony Albanese, since 3 December 2007. He replaced the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon Mark Vaile, who held office since August 2006, and the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, the Hon Jim Lloyd, who held office since July 2004.

The Minister has overall responsibility for all of the matters falling within the Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government portfolio, including regulation, safety and funding in relation to aviation, shipping, roads and railways and policy on regional development, local government and the territories, including the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. He is advised by:
*Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
*Australian Transport Safety Bureau
*Office of Transport Security
*Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics (BTRE)

Agency and bodies

Other agencies and bodies the portfolio include:
* Australian Transport Safety Bureau
* Airservices Australia
* Australian Bicycle Council
* Australian Global Navigation Satellite System Coordination Committee (AGCC)
* Australian Local Government and Planning Ministers' Council
* Australian Maritime College
* Australian Maritime Safety Authority
* Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board
* Australian Rail Operations Unit
* Australian Rail Track Corporation
* Australian Transport Council
* Christmas Island Administration
* Civil Aviation Safety Authority
* Cocos (Keeling) Islands Administration
* East Kimberley Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Indigenous Trial
* International Air Services Commission
* Jervis Bay Territory Administration
* Local Government and Planning Joint Committee
* National Capital Authority
* National Transport Commission
* Navigation Safety Advisory Committee
* Administrator of the Northern Territory
* Office of the Administrator Norfolk Island
* Regional Development Council
* Regional Women's Advisory Council
* Standing Committee on Regional Development Secretariat
* Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee
* Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme Review Authority

Australian transport ministers

Under the Constitution of Australia the federal government was not given any specific responsibilities for transport, except for "railway construction and extension in any State with the consent of that State" (section 51(xxxiv)). In 1916, Billy Hughes appointed Patrick Lynch as Minister for Works and Railways to administer Commonwealth Railways and the construction of the Trans-Australian Railway. In December 1928, Stanley Bruce appointed Thomas Paterson as Minister for Markets and Transport, which included responsibility for funding road construction via grants to the states. In January 1932, this portfolio was renamed Minister for Transport, but in April 1932 it was absorbed into the new portfolio of Minister for the Interior along with the position of Minister for Works and Railways.

In December 1938, with the growth of significance of civil aviation and the commonwealth's assumption of responsibility for regulating it under international treaties, Joseph Lyons appointed Harold Thorby as the first Minister for Civil Aviation. In 1941 Robert Menzies re-established the transport portfolio with the appointment of Hubert Lawrence Anthony. The Curtin government was determined to establish a government shipping company, ultimately the Australian National Lines, and John Curtin appointed Jack Beasley as Minister for Supply and Development in 1941. This position was renamed Minister for Shipping, Fuel and Transport in 1950 under the Menzies government and Minister for Shipping and Transport in 1951. Gough Whitlam combined the transport and civil aviation porfolios in 1973, but it was re-divided with Malcolm Fraser's appointment of Wal Fife as Minister for Aviation in 1982. Bob Hawke abolished the aviation portfolio in 1987 with the creation of the "super" departments. Since 1987, there has been a single senior transport minister in Cabinet. There has usually also been a supporting minister outside cabinet, but there has not been one since 3 December 2007.

Minister for Works and Railways

Ministers supporting the transport minister

Since the creation of the enlarged portfolios in the third Hawke Ministry on 24 July 1987 there has usually been a minister outside cabinet supporting the transport minister who is always within cabinet, although not since 3 December 2007.

External links

* [http://www.ministers.dotars.gov.au Ministers website]