This group dates from 1900 when the first Minister of Labour was commissioned and assumed responsibility for administering the provisions of the Factories and Shops Act from the Chief Secretary (VRG 26). It includes the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Labour and Industry (1954 to 1985), the Minister of Employment and Training (1980 to 1985), the Minister for Industrial Affairs (1982 to 1985), the Minister for Employment and Industrial Affairs (1985 to 1986) and the Minister for Labour (1986 to 1992).

In 1900 a Minister of Labour was appointed and assumed responsibility for functions previously undertaken by the Chief Secretary (VRG 26). The Minister of Labour was replaced by the Minister of Labour and Industry in 1954.

From 1980 to 1985 there were a series of machinery of government changes which involved a gradual dismantling of the Labour and Industry portfolio to create three separate portfolios: Labour and Industry, Employment and Training and Industrial Affairs.

In 1985 the three portfolios were abolished and most of the functions which had been associated with the Labour and Industry portfolio to 1980 were brought back together under the responsibility of the Minister for Employment and Industrial Affairs. In 1986 the combined portfolio was renamed Labour.

The Labour portfolio was abolished as part of the change of Ministry on 6 October 1992 which saw the establishment of the following new portfolios:
Minister for Industry and Employment
Minister for Industry Services
Minister for Youth Affairs
Minister for Regional Development
Minister for WorkCare.


Departments of State 1900-1992

The major Departments of State responsible for the administration of labour and industry functions during the period 1900 to 1992 were:

VA 475 Chief Secretary's Department 1900 to 1916
VA 2874 Department of Labour I 1916 to 1954
VA 1027 Department of Labour and Industry 1954 to 1985
VA 704 Ministry of Employment and Training 1981 to 1985
VA 1059 Ministry of Industrial Affairs 1982 to 1985
VA 2777 Department of Labour II 1986 to 1992

Location of Records

Significant holdings of records have been transferred to the Public Record Office. See List of Holdings 2nd edition 1985, sections 3.9.0 (labour and industry matters) and 3.22.0 (workers compensation, motor accident compensation).

Ministers

Minister of Labour 1900 to 1954
Minister of Labour and Industry 1954 to 1985
Minister of Employment and Training 1980 to 1985
Minister for Industrial Affairs 1982 to 1985
Minister for Employment and Industrial Affairs 1985 to 1986
Minister for Labour 1986 to 1992.