Immigration, Publicity and Tourist Bureau Department (GA70)

In 1929 the name of the Immigration, Intelligence and Tourist Bureau Department was discontinued and the Immigration, Publicity and Tourist Bureau Department created as a new Department (1).

Immigration affairs and the publicity and tourism functions of the department continued in practice to be administered separately, with an Immigration Officer being responsible to the Director of the department. The functions of the Immigration, Publicity and Tourist Bureau Department - which were inherited directly from its predecessor - were the promotion and publicising of the South Australian environment in order to attract tourists and immigrants to the State. This included responsibility for the assisted immigration scheme designed specifically to attract 'labour for public enterprises, rural workers, and small capitalists with agricultural experience' (2).

Although the Commonwealth government was responsible for the selection of immigrants and for their transport to South Australia, the State government remained responsible for making decisions regarding the number of assisted immigrants required and their care after arrival. In addition to attracting settlers and tourists to South Australia, the department also provided facilities for tours and travel throughout the State, controlled a number of local pleasure resorts, and subsidized the development of tourist resorts (3).

On 4 January 1972 the Immigration, Publicity and Tourist Bureau Department was amalgamated with the Premier's Department [II] to become known as the Department of the Premier and of Development (4).

The Tourist Division, the Publicity Branch, and the State Immigration Office formed part of this new Department.

On 27 September 1973 the Tourist Division was amalgamated with the Department of Environment and Conservation (5), but in October of that year the Tourist Division was incorporated with the newly-established Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport ( ). The State Immigration Office remained with Premier's until 30 June 1978 when its functions were taken over by the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (7).

Same agency as GRG 7- different archival control system

REFERENCES:

(1) Government Gazette 28 March 1929.
(2) Australian Encyclopedia, vol.V (Sydney, Angus & Robertson, 1958), p.69.
(3) South Australian Yearbook 1966 (Adelaide, Government Printer), p.60.
(4) Government Gazette, 9 December 1971.
(5) Government Gazette 27 Sept. 1973.
(6) GRG 75/83/481/77
(7) GRG 75/83/481/77