Co-operative Societies (1949-1995) The Registrar of Co-Operative Societies was established under the
Building and Co-operative Societies Act 1901. The Registrar of Co-operative Societies could inquire into the working and financial condition of a society or authorise any public servant, accountant, or actuary to inspect any minutes or books or to examine into, and report upon, the affairs of a society. In 1923 an advisory council was established by the
Co-operation, Community Settlement and Credit Act 1923, to make recommendations to the
Treasurer. The Council submitted recommendations about the rules and regulations relating to societies and any action to be taken by the Treasurer, including the appointment of committees. The Registrar of Co-operative Societies was an ex officio member of the Council and the Treasurer could attend any meeting, and would preside over such meetings. The ministerial position was created in a ministerial reshuffle in the
second McGirr ministry October 1949 with responsibilities transferring from the Treasurer to the Minister for Co-operative Societies. The inaugural minister
Clarrie Martin held the portfolio in addition to his portfolio of
Attorney–General. From February 1983 the ministerial responsibilities were transferred to the
Minister for Housing. The responsibilities were transferred to the Attorney General in January 1986, It was re-created in the
second Greiner ministry. It was abolished in April 1995 and the responsibilities transferred to the
Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs.
Consumer Affairs (1973-1995) The portfolio was established in December 1973 in the
sixth Askin ministry and the major task of the portfolio was to ensure consumers were treated fairly. This was handled by
consumer education, providing a complaints service, licensing some occupational groups, investigating prices and charges, responsible for weights and measures and landlord and tenant matters. The administrative units responsible to the Ministry included the Consumer Affairs Council and Consumer Affairs Bureau, the Weights and Measures Office, the Prices Branch and Registry of Consumer Claims Tribunals. The establishment of the Ministry also coincided with three entirely new acts of Parliament dealing with important aspects of consumer protection, namely the
Consumer Claims Tribunals Act 1974, the
Pyramid Sales Act 1974 and the
Motor Dealers Act 1974. The Fair Trading Minister is responsible for the regulation of various occupations, organisations and industries including incorporated associations, hairdressers, charitable fundraisers, pawnbrokers, biofuels and co-operatives. ==List of ministers==