The Department of Industrial Development [2] was abolished on 1 May 1980 and two new departments - that of Resources Development and Industrial Development and Commerce created on the same day. The former Department was responsible for the development of the States resources and the provision of trainee services.

The Department of Resources Development [1] was abolished as a Department on the 25 October 1988 and established as a sub-department of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade on the same day. It was abolished as a sub-department and re-established as a full Department on the 25 October 1988. The Department of Resources Development [1] was then abolished as a Department on the 1 January 1991 and its functions passed to the Department of State Development.