Appointment

In 1978 a Minister of State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism was appointed and assumed responsibility for those functions from the Minister for State Development and Decentralisation (VRG 51) and the Minister for Tourism (VRG 59).

Economic and Regional Development

The Minister's prime responsibility related to decentralisation and industrial development including the:

establishment and development of country based industry

provision of financial and other assistance to approved decentralised industry

development of amenities in country areas

promotion of commerce and small business

encouragement of interstate and overseas investment in Victoria

export marketing of Victorian primary products and resources, manufactured goods and tertiary services.

Regional Development included the promotion and development of industrial, commercial and other business undertakings and employment opportunities with particular emphasis on the Albury-Wodonga and Geelong regions through the Albury-Wodonga (Victoria) Corporation and the Geelong Regional Commission (VA 426).

Tourism

The Minister's responsibilities included the:

promotion of tourism

development of tourist facilities including the acquisition of property and the provision of financial assistance to individuals, government and non-government agencies

provision of information and travel services

operation of tourist bureaux, later the Victorian Government Travel Authority (VA 2990).

For a brief account of the tourism function see VRG 91 Tourism III.

Immigration

Although an Immigration Division was established within the Department of State Development (VA 552) in 1971, a Minister of Immigration (VRG 90) exercised responsibility for immigration matters until 1976. In 1976 the Minister of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (VRG 68) took over this responsibility. The Ministry of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (VA 1042), which assumed the functions of the Immigration Division in 1977, continued to be administratively located within the Department of State Development and Decentralisation (VA 552), and later State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism (VA 2881) until 1981 when it gained full departmental independence.

Transfer to Economic Development

In 1981 the Minister of Economic Development (VRG 71) assumed responsibility for Economic and Regional Development while the Minister for Tourism (VRG 89) inherited responsibility for that function.

Location of Records

Some records are held at the Public Record Office. See also List of Holdings 2nd edition 1985, sections 3.13.4 (State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism) and 3.10.2 (immigration records).

Minister

Minister of State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism 1978-1981