The Office was established to prepare a proposal for an International Antarctic Centre. The project has undergone several incarnations and been the subject of considerable dispute between the State and Commonwealth Governments. Sometime between 1992 and 1996 the Office was transferred to the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation. On 27 March 1996 it was transferred to the Department of Environment and Land Management. When the latter became the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment this Office was transferred to the Department of State Development.~