Franklin Square Buildings, Hobart, Tasmania
Treasury-type functions before self-government
A history of the Department of Treasury and Finance and its predecessors can be found in Heather Felton’s excellent book, From Commissariat to Treasury – the story of the Tasmanian Department of Treasury and Finance 1804 to 2004. This book was published by Treasury in 2004 to celebrate 200 years of the Treasury functions in Tasmania.
From that book, and other sources, we have compiled a list of Tasmanian Treasurers since self-government and a list of those persons occupying positions which are more broadly equivalent to the role of the current Secretary.
As would be expected, the functions of Treasury today are vastly different from the tasks undertaken when Bowen and Collins landed in Tasmania in 1803 and 1804 respectively. A brief description of the various positions, taken from Felton, is outlined below.
Commissariat
The Commissariat was responsible for procuring and distributing food, equipment and other supplies, such as seeds and farm animals. The Head of the Commissariat was also the settlement’s financial manager and accountant. The occupant also controlled the flow of British money into, and out of, the colony. He also provided the earliest banking services, advised the Lieutenant-Governor on economic policy and, in the early years, allocated building materials and managed government property.
Naval Officer
The main role of the Naval Officer was to collect customs, port fees and other revenue.
Treasurer of the Police Fund
The Police Fund was established by Governor Macquarie in 1810 and its main purpose was to establish a police force. It was also used to pay the salaries and expenses of other locally appointed officials.
Colonial Treasurer
Mr Jocelyn Thomas was appointed the first Colonial Treasurer with effect from 11 October 1824.
One of the recommendations of an inquiry conducted by John Bigge in 1821 was for the colony’s financial functions to be consolidated in a central treasury department. As a consequence, the Collector of Internal Revenue and the Inspector of Distilleries and Breweries became responsible to the Colonial Treasurer.
Following the adoption of the 1828 Constitution, Mr Thomas became an ex-officio member of the Legislative Council (8 August 1829). From that time to the introduction of responsible government in 1856, the Colonial Treasurer and the Colonial Secretary were the two public officials that had both executive and legislative advisory roles. This was in addition to their administrative responsibility of as a head of a department.
Franklin Square Buildings, Hobart, Tasmania
Treasury-type functions before self-government
A history of the Department of Treasury and Finance and its predecessors can be found in Heather Felton’s excellent book, From Commissariat to Treasury – the story of the Tasmanian Department of Treasury and Finance 1804 to 2004. This book was published by Treasury in 2004 to celebrate 200 years of the Treasury functions in Tasmania.
From that book, and other sources, we have compiled a list of Tasmanian Treasurers since self-government and a list of those persons occupying positions which are more broadly equivalent to the role of the current Secretary.
As would be expected, the functions of Treasury today are vastly different from the tasks undertaken when Bowen and Collins landed in Tasmania in 1803 and 1804 respectively. A brief description of the various positions, taken from Felton, is outlined below.
Commissariat
The Commissariat was responsible for procuring and distributing food, equipment and other supplies, such as seeds and farm animals. The Head of the Commissariat was also the settlement’s financial manager and accountant. The occupant also controlled the flow of British money into, and out of, the colony. He also provided the earliest banking services, advised the Lieutenant-Governor on economic policy and, in the early years, allocated building materials and managed government property.
Naval Officer
The main role of the Naval Officer was to collect customs, port fees and other revenue.
Treasurer of the Police Fund
The Police Fund was established by Governor Macquarie in 1810 and its main purpose was to establish a police force. It was also used to pay the salaries and expenses of other locally appointed officials.
Colonial Treasurer
Mr Jocelyn Thomas was appointed the first Colonial Treasurer with effect from 11 October 1824.
One of the recommendations of an inquiry conducted by John Bigge in 1821 was for the colony’s financial functions to be consolidated in a central treasury department. As a consequence, the Collector of Internal Revenue and the Inspector of Distilleries and Breweries became responsible to the Colonial Treasurer.
Following the adoption of the 1828 Constitution, Mr Thomas became an ex-officio member of the Legislative Council (8 August 1829). From that time to the introduction of responsible government in 1856, the Colonial Treasurer and the Colonial Secretary were the two public officials that had both executive and legislative advisory roles. This was in addition to their administrative responsibility of as a head of a department.