Duties and History
As the duties of the post are not rigorous, it is usually given to a government minister who holds another portfolio. In this sense, it is usually not a 'Minister without portfolio' such as the equivalent position, Lord President of the Council, is in the United Kingdom, although it has sometimes been used thus in the past (many of the earlier Vice-Presidents, and some of the later ones, such as Dame Enid Lyons in the First Menzies Ministry and Sir James Killen in the Third Fraser Ministry, served in the post without holding another portfolio simultaneously).
A small Department of the Vice-President of the Executive Council existed 22 March-31 May 1971, during the premiership of William McMahon. It was administered by Sir Alan Hulme, who was also Postmaster-General. The department was recreated by Malcolm Fraser in 1982 for Sir James Killen, who held no other portfolio; it was abolished in 1983 by the incoming prime minister Bob Hawke.
Prior to the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, colonial and State governments, including the Colony of New South Wales also appointed a Vice-President of the Executive Council. The first New South Wales appointment was made on 3 October 1856 in the ministry of the Parker colonial government. The New South Wales government currently retains the title for a senior government minister, presently held by the Hon. Michael Gallacher, MP.
Read more about this topic: Vice-President Of The Executive Council
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