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| Department of Industry (New South Wales) | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Department of Industry (New South Wales) |
| Type | Department |
| Formed | 2015 |
| Preceding1 | New South Wales Department of Trade and Investment |
| Dissolved | 2019 |
| Jurisdiction | New South Wales |
| Headquarters | Sydney |
| Minister1 name | Dominic Perrottet |
| Parent agency | Government of New South Wales |
Department of Industry (New South Wales) The Department of Industry (New South Wales) was a state executive agency responsible for administering portfolios related to primary industries, resources, tourism, and innovation in New South Wales; it coordinated policy across agencies such as the NSW Food Authority, NSW Trade and Investment and Destination NSW while interacting with entities including Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Fair Work Commission, Australian Bureau of Statistics and Infrastructure NSW. Formed amid administrative changes under the Second Baird ministry and the Berejiklian ministry, the department operated alongside other NSW agencies such as the Treasury of New South Wales, Transport for NSW and NSW Health until its functions were redistributed during later machinery-of-government changes under the Perrottet ministry and the Minns ministry.
The department was established in 2015 following reforms associated with the Premier of New South Wales and the Cabinet of New South Wales during the tenure of Mike Baird and continued through the administration of Gladys Berejiklian and Dominic Perrottet, inheriting responsibilities from predecessors including the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and the Office of Environment and Heritage. Its creation responded to policy drivers influenced by events such as the 2015 New South Wales state election, the Coal Seam Gas debates, and state responses to international trade dynamics involving partners like China and United States. Over time the department merged, split and transferred functions in concert with initiatives by the New South Wales Public Service Commission and machinery-of-government orders issued by successive premiers, culminating in reorganisation in 2019 and integration into agencies overseen by the Treasurer of New South Wales and ministers responsible for portfolios such as Regional NSW and Energy Minister (New South Wales).
The department’s remit encompassed policy, regulation and service delivery across primary production sectors regulated by NSW Food Authority, resource management involving coordination with Mineral Resources Minister (New South Wales), agricultural support linked to programs from Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, tourism promotion through Destination NSW, and innovation and small business support aligned with StartupAUS and Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. It administered statutory instruments created under Acts such as the Crown Land Management Act 2016 (NSW), collaborated on trade promotion with agencies like Austrade and handled emergency responses in partnership with NSW Rural Fire Service, SafeWork NSW and local councils including Wollongong City Council. The department also oversaw compliance activities in coordination with regulators such as Office of the Registrar-General (NSW) and provided input to national forums like meetings of the Council of Australian Governments.
Organisationally the department comprised divisions mirroring portfolios: primary industries, resources and energy, tourism and major events, innovation and investment, and regional development, each reporting to directors and executive staff appointed under frameworks administered by the NSW Public Service Commission and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Executive leadership included a Secretary accountable to ministers such as the Minister for Primary Industries (New South Wales) and the Minister for Tourism and Major Events (New South Wales), with corporate services, legal and policy units liaising with agencies like Crown Lands Division and statutory bodies such as the NSW Food Authority and NSW Resources Regulator.
The department provided oversight or shared administration with agencies and subsidiaries including the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Destination NSW, NSW Trade & Investment, the NSW Resources Regulator, NSW Food Authority, and regional development bodies that engaged with entities like Hunter Water and local tourism organisations such as Visit Canberra through interjurisdictional collaboration. It also participated in joint ventures and service delivery arrangements with statutory corporations and advisory councils including the Regional Development Australia network, the NSW Minerals Council for industry consultation, and research partners such as CSIRO and universities like University of Sydney and University of New South Wales.
Ministerial oversight rested with portfolio ministers appointed by the Premier of New South Wales, including the Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation (New South Wales), the Minister for Regional New South Wales, and the Minister for Energy (New South Wales), each accountable to the Parliament of New South Wales. Governance frameworks incorporated compliance with legislation administered by ministers such as the Attorney General of New South Wales and reporting obligations to parliamentary committees including the Legislative Assembly Committee on Industry. The department implemented directions from central agencies such as the Treasury of New South Wales and followed protocols set by the Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer (NSW) when commissioning research.
Funding derived from the NSW budget processes managed by the Treasurer of New South Wales and appropriations passed by the Parliament of New South Wales, supplemented by fee-for-service arrangements with entities such as Destination NSW and grant programs delivered in partnership with Commonwealth agencies like the Department of the Treasury (Australia), and matched funding from bodies including Australian Research Council grants and regional development funds administered through Infrastructure NSW. Budget allocations fluctuated with policy priorities set by premiers including Mike Baird and Gladys Berejiklian and were subject to audit by the Audit Office of New South Wales.
The department attracted criticism over decisions affecting land use and resource approvals that intersected with campaigns by groups such as Lock the Gate Alliance and disputes involving corporations like Whitehaven Coal, prompting scrutiny from the Independent Commission Against Corruption and parliamentary inquiries, and debate in the context of environmental incidents linked to water management controversies in regions represented by MPs such as Paul Toole and John Barilaro. Critics cited tensions between economic development priorities promoted by ministers and regulatory outcomes overseen by agencies such as the NSW Resources Regulator, while advocacy organisations including Environmental Defenders Office and unions like the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union contested aspects of employment, safety and consultation.
Category:Defunct government agencies of New South Wales