Section 69: Transfer of certain departments

On a date or dates to be proclaimed by the Governor-General after the establishment of the Commonwealth the following departments of the public service in each State shall become transferred to the Commonwealth:

• posts, telegraphs, and telephones;

• naval and military defence;

• lighthouses, lightships, beacons, and buoys;

• quarantine.

But the departments of customs and of excise in each State shall become transferred to the Commonwealth on its establishment.