(1) The Minister has the power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of the Minister's functions.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Minister may for the purposes of performing any function ¾

(a) acquire, hold, manage, improve, develop and dispose of any real or personal property;

(b) enter into contracts or arrangements;

(c) borrow money by way of loan, advance or overdraft;

(d) obtain or provide credit;

(e) provide, take or arrange security;

(f) fix and collect fees, charges or other payments for, or in respect of, the provision of services or the performance of work by the department;

(g) act in conjunction with ¾

(i) any person or firm, or a public authority or local government; or

(ii) any department of the Public Service or any agency or instrumentality of the State or Commonwealth;

(h) with the approval of the Treasurer, invest any money (including holding shares, units and other interests) standing to the credit of the Account;

(i) appoint agents and attorneys, and act as agent for other persons; and

(j) do anything incidental to any of the Minister's powers.

(3) Money borrowed by the Minister in the exercise of a power under this section ¾

(a) may only be borrowed with the prior written approval of the Treasurer and on such terms and conditions as the Treasurer approves; and

(b) is not to exceed in any one financial year, in total, such amount as the Treasurer approves.

(4) In this section ¾

}acquire~ includes taking on lease or licence or in any other manner in which an interest in property may be acquired;

}dispose~ includes dispose by way of lease, licence or bailment or in any other manner in which an interest in property may be disposed of.

(5) For the purposes of the State Trading Concerns Act 1916, the activities of the Minister under this Act are to be taken to have been expressly authorized by Parliament.