The Australian Minister for Communications has the overall responsibility for broadcasting, the information and communications technology industry, the information economy, and telecommunications within Australia. The portfolio is currently held by Michelle Rowland in the Albanese ministry since 1 June 2022, following the Australian federal election in 2022.[1]
In the Government of Australia, the ministers administer the portfolio through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
Portfolio agencies and bodies include:
The minister responsible for telecommunications policy has had various titles. From 1901 until December 1975 it was the Postmaster-General, who administered the portfolio through the Postmaster-General's Department.
The following individuals have been appointed as Minister for Communications, or any of its precedent titles:[2][3]
Notes
The following individuals have been appointed as Minister for Regional Communications, or any of its precedent titles:[4]
On 24 July 1987
, the third Hawke Ministry implemented a two-level ministerial structure, with distinctions drawn between senior and junior ministers. This arrangement has been continued by subsequent ministries; however, junior ministers have been appointed in the telecommunications portfolio on only five occasions. Senior ministers are shown in the table above.The following individuals have been appointed as the Minister for Digital Transformation, or any of its precedent titles:[2][3]
The following individuals have been appointed as the Assistant Minister or Parliamentary Secretary for Communications, or any of its precedent titles: