ALIA
_ Y 4.
^~ uSrRA3A.
PRIME EINISTER
FOR PRESS DECEMBER 19i 1975
THE DEPARTMENTS OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE AND BUSINESS AND'CONSUMER
AFFAIRS The division of responsibility between the new Departments of
Industry and Commerce and of Business and Consumer Affairs is
a logical development under the Government's proposals to
streamline administration and eliminate duplication.
The Department of Industry and Commerce is under a Minister
who is a member of the Cabinet.
It is. the principal contact point for industry, as well as being
the policy making Department, drawing together matters relating to
tertiary industry and manufacturing industry.
The Department of Business and Consumer Affairs groups the
regulatory bodies, which are removed from the purely legalistic
Attorney Generals Department. The result will be to give them
a more practical application while ensuring that the interests
of consumers are taken into account adequately in any decisions
which are made.
The decision to place under one Ministry such agencies as t~ ie
Industries Assistance Commission, the Temporary Assistance Authority,
the Prices Justification Tribunal, and the Trade Practices Commission-is
in accordance both with the recommendations of the Jackson
Committee and with sound administrative practice.
it should lead to rationalisation', consistency and improved
communication. Industry and commerce will be looking to the Department of
Industry and Commerce as an ally in putting matters before
the Industries Assistance Commission just as rural industry
will be looking to the Department of Primary Industry..
It is important therefore that the IAC should be in a
neutral department where the interests of the community
as a whole can be weighed.
There is no question of limiting access by industry to the
IAC, or of restricting references made to it.
* Ministers a nd expert officers from other Departments will
continue to play important roles in referring matters to the
Commission and in dealing with its reports.
I am sure that industry will notice an improvement in its
relations with the IAC from these administrative arrangements.