. IjA US THLIAY
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 12 December 1985
On 2 December the Minister for Territories announced the
Government's intention to combine within a single
Commonwealth portfolio most ACT administrative
functions.
The Government has today made a series of administrative
arrangements changes which transfer a number of
territorial matters to the Territories portfolio.
The principal functions which have been transferred with
effect from today are those relating to territorial
health services and the ACT education system with the
exception of post-secondary education. Certain other
territorial functions which were previously the
responsibility of the Minister for Housing and
Construction, Local Government and Administrative
Services, Primary Industry, and the Attorney-General
have also been transferred.
In relation to the transfer of the ACT health system, I
have asked the Minister for Health, the Hon. Neil
Blewett, to remain closely involved in the restructuring
of the ACT Health Authority which has been carried out
under his direction during this year. Dr Blewett's
personal attention to ACT health matters contributed
greatly to the resolution of the recent dispute with the
nurses at Canberra hospitals.
The opportunity has also been taken to transfer from the
Minister for Territories two national functions. These
are the Canberra National Memorials Committee and the
National Botanic Gardens which will now be the
responsibility of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and
Environment. In addition, to assist in the integration of total ACT
finances and the determination of priorities the
Minister for Territories will be responsible for
providing a co-ordinated overview of ACT activities and
budgetary processes. These will be separately reported
on an annual basis from 1986/ 87.
The Government sees these changes as being a significant
step towards the establishment of the ACT Council, which
is to operate from 1 January 1987.
To achieve a smooth and speedy implementation of the
administrative re-organisation, I have asked Senator
Walsh, as Minister Assisting me for Public Service
Matters, to oversee the changes and ensure that
consequential questions of finance, staffing and
location of staff are resolved without delay.
A list of the changes is attached.
FUNCTIONS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE INTEGRATED
TERRITORIES DEPARTMENT
From the Attorney-General
Legal policy responsibility for matters transferred
from the Attorney-General and legislative drafting
associated with functions to be transferred to the
ACT Council
From the Minister for Education
* Territorial education system excluding post secondary
education.
From the Minister for Health
* Territorial health system.
From the Minister for Housing and Construction
* Operations, repairs and maintenance and design and
construction associated with functions to be
transferred to the ACT Council, including water and
sewerage services
From the Minister for Local Government and
Administrative Services
* Accommodation, cleaning, surveying and mapping and
vehicle operations for functions to be transferred to
the ACT Council
From the Minister for Primary Industry
Administration of the Stock Diseases ordinance 1933
4 STATUTORY AUTHORITIES TO BE INCLUDED IN THE TERRITORIES
PORTFOLIO Fr6m the Attorney-General
* Legal Aid Commission
* Parole Board
* Public Trustee
From the Minister for Education
ACT Schools Authority
From the Minister for Health
* ACT Health Authority and associated bodies
* Chiropractic Board
* Dental Board
* Drugs Advisory Committee
* Medical Board
* Mental Health Advisory Council
* Nurses Board
* Optometrists Board
* Pharmacy Board
* Physiotherapists Board
* Radiation Council
* Veterinary Surgeons Board
TRANSFERS FROM THE TERRITORIES PORTFOLIO
To Arts, Heritage and Environment
Canberra National Memorials Committee
. National Botanic Gardens