The Department of Supply was an Australian government department that existed between March 1950 and June 1974. The functions of the Department at its creation in 1950 were: - Australian Aluminium Production Commission - Control of materials which are or may be used in producing atomic energy - Manufacture, acquisition, provision and supply of war material involving operation and management of factories, workshops and undertakings concerned in the production of war material - Acquisition by the Commonwealth and the establishment of factories and workshops for the purpose of producing war material - Securing of supplies of materials, plant, tools and equipment for that purpose - Employment and training of technicians, workmen and others for that purpose - Arrangements and all action necessary to secure the supply, manufacture, processing and delivery of war material - Building of merchant ships and other vessels (other than naval vessels) and repair and maintenance of all merchant ships and the provision of dry-docking and repairing facilities for merchant ships - Control and limitation of profits in relation to the production of war material by private enterprise - Promotion and production of liquid fuels, and in particular, the production of power alcohol and benzol - Importation and use of tin plate - Procurement of supplies and foodstuffs for the Services and control of the production and distribution of supplies where their conservation is necessary