Cover image for Australian Aluminium Production Commission Files
Series:
Australian Aluminium Production Commission Files
Series Number:
Access:
Open
Start Date:
10 Sep 1953
End Date:
02 Mar 1962
Creating Agency:
01 Jan 182417 Jul 1989
Controlling Series:
AG177 File Index01 Jan 194531 Dec 1962
Series notes:
The first Australian aluminium smelter began production at Bell Bay in September 1955 under the management of the Australian Aluminium Production Commission.

The Commission was created by the Commonwealth's Aluminium Industry Act 1944. The complimentary State legislation, The Aluminium Industry Agreement Act 1944, laid down the agreement between the Commonwealth and the State with respect to the production of aluminium under the Commission's management. Under the Tasmanian legislation, half of the members of the Commission were to be nominated by the State and half by the Commowealth. The financial commitment was to be pound for pound and the State Treasurer was enabled to raise funds for the State's contribution.

The State's Aluminium Industry Agreement Act 1952 amended the agreement so that the Commission now consisted of four Commonwealth members and one from the State with the financial commitment to reflect this four to one ratio.

In 1960 the Commonwealth sold its interest in Consolidated Zinc pty ltd and the Commission was wound up. A company called Aluminium Production Corporation Limited was incorporated to operate the Bell Bay operation. The State continued to have a financial interest with one member from Treasury sitting on the Board. In 1962 the company was renamed Comalco Aluminium (Bell Bay) Limited.

These records are part of the holdings of the Tasmanian Archives
Information Sources:
Aluminium Industry Agreement Act 1944 & 1952
Items: