1980s

In the 1980s, the Department of Social Security established new remote offices and expanded the Aboriginal Liaison Officer program. These artefacts include early examples of the department communicating in language and through videos. Also included are key reports that evaluated the effectiveness of services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

1981

DSS promotes payments for people with disability

In a special edition of Aboriginal Quarterly, the government promoted help for Aboriginal people with disability and featured Aboriginal voices in articles for the International Year of Disabled Persons.

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Clipping of an article showing a photo of Kevin Coombs at a desk and the title 'Kevin Coombs - disabled but able'. The title of the page reads 'International Year of Disabled Persons'.
Aboriginal people are often not aware of the entitlements and services available to handicapped or disabled persons and their families ... We print here a summary of Commonwealth assistance available through the Department of Social Security.
Department of Aboriginal Affairs Aboriginal Quarterly article, 1981, p 12
Aboriginal people are often not aware of the entitlements and services available to handicapped or disabled persons and their families ... We print here a summary of Commonwealth assistance available through the Department of Social Security.
Department of Aboriginal Affairs Aboriginal Quarterly article, 1981, p 12

1982

Aboriginality of people getting payments not recorded

After DSS stopped recording the number of Aboriginal people receiving payments, the shadow minister criticised the department and asked about people missing out.

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Don Grimes press release, front page
I tried several times to find out whether a better system could be found to establish the unemployment benefit take-up in Aboriginal communities and the larger cities. Many social security officers have expressed to me their doubts that Aborigines are receiving proper entitlements
Don Grimes, Shadow Minister, 1982, p 3
I tried several times to find out whether a better system could be found to establish the unemployment benefit take-up in Aboriginal communities and the larger cities. Many social security officers have expressed to me their doubts that Aborigines are receiving proper entitlements
Don Grimes, Shadow Minister, 1982, p 3

1982

Video shows importance of Aboriginal Liaison Officers in communities

In 1982, DSS made a video about Aboriginal Liaison Officer Andrew Thomas to show his work helping people in regional communities access government services.

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Still image from 'Iti witiwiti Aboriginal Liaison Officer' video, showing the title, with a sunset in the background.
With this job, more and more people are coming to know me as ‘the bloke from Social Security’. People sometimes just say they are coming to see Andrew, they don’t mention Social Security at all.
Andrew Thomas, DSS, 1982
With this job, more and more people are coming to know me as ‘the bloke from Social Security’. People sometimes just say they are coming to see Andrew, they don’t mention Social Security at all.
Andrew Thomas, DSS, 1982

1982

Aboriginal Senator explains DSS payments

DSS began making their information more accessible for Aboriginal people in the 1980s. An early example is this video featuring Neville Bonner, the first Aboriginal person in federal Parliament.

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Still image from 'A message from the Department' video, showing Senator Neville Bonner speaking to the camera, with an Aboriginal flag behind him.
You’ve been listening to our people who work in Social Security .... Now, it’s … important for you if you want to receive your cheque, you want to get your money, then you must follow all of those steps that our people here have been telling you this morning.
Senator Neville Bonner, 1982
You’ve been listening to our people who work in Social Security .... Now, it’s … important for you if you want to receive your cheque, you want to get your money, then you must follow all of those steps that our people here have been telling you this morning.
Senator Neville Bonner, 1982

1983

Torres Strait Islander’s activism leads to change

In her autobiographies, Ellie Gaffney discussed her work advocating for direct payments for Torres Strait Islander people and for a DSS office to be established on Thursday Island.

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Somebody Now front page
... the family and I moved to Brisbane after securing an Abstudy grant. The decision to move cost us ... big money ... This obsession of mine to be fully qualified was because I didn't want people to say I got the [matron] job because I was a Torres Strait Islander.
Ellie Gaffney, 1989, p 47
... the family and I moved to Brisbane after securing an Abstudy grant. The decision to move cost us ... big money ... This obsession of mine to be fully qualified was because I didn't want people to say I got the [matron] job because I was a Torres Strait Islander.
Ellie Gaffney, 1989, p 47

1984

DSS servicing for Aboriginal people expands in Tasmania

It took time and activism to establish government services for Aboriginal people in Tasmania. These DSS newsletters introduce the first Tasmanian Aboriginal Liaison Officer in 1984 and show how services expanded into the 1990s.

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Excerpt titled 'Only man on the island', alongside a photograph of a man looking to the right, and a map of Tasmania with locations labelled.
... he feels that he is really needed by the Aboriginal community and finds that the work, although demanding, is very rewarding …
ALO David Mallett in Jumbunna, 1984, p 3
... he feels that he is really needed by the Aboriginal community and finds that the work, although demanding, is very rewarding …
ALO David Mallett in Jumbunna, 1984, p 3

1985

Oral history reveals difficulties seeking financial security

Even when government help was available, it was often not enough to help disadvantaged Aboriginal families out of poverty. One man’s oral history shows years of upheaval trying to find security for his family.

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A black and white photograph of young Bevan Nicholls. He is standing by himself in front of a chaff bag tent. He is wearing a light collared shirt, cardigan and dark pants.
I was on Social Service and couldn’t get work … We walked away from it all with nothing ...
Bevan Nicholls, 1991, p 109
I was on Social Service and couldn’t get work … We walked away from it all with nothing ...
Bevan Nicholls, 1991, p 109

1985

The Miller report supports self-determination in employment policies

An influential report on government programs recommended changes to improve employment and education outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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Cover of the Report of the Committee of Review of Aboriginal Employment and Training Programs. The cover is plain, with the Australian coat of arms at the top, and a black, yellow and red border extending along the bottom and right of the cover.
Since the difficulty of obtaining paid employment has increased and Aboriginal unemployment has risen, Aboriginal people have become increasingly dependent on government transfer payments as a source of income. This also implies that the delivery of social services and income support has been improved, whilst the economic earning power of Aboriginal people has not …
Miller report, 1985, p 39
Since the difficulty of obtaining paid employment has increased and Aboriginal unemployment has risen, Aboriginal people have become increasingly dependent on government transfer payments as a source of income. This also implies that the delivery of social services and income support has been improved, whilst the economic earning power of Aboriginal people has not …
Miller report, 1985, p 39

1986

Aboriginal Liaison Officers explain their role to customers

DSS made a video to show the work of Aboriginal Liaison Officers in Darwin and to remind customers of what they needed to let the department know about.

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Aboriginal Liaison Unit in the Top End. Title Card
Aboriginal Liaison Officers are an important link between the community and Social Security. They are here to help you. Look for them when they next visit your community.
Glenn Castillon, DSS, 1986
Aboriginal Liaison Officers are an important link between the community and Social Security. They are here to help you. Look for them when they next visit your community.
Glenn Castillon, DSS, 1986

1986

Senior Aboriginal public servant reflects on history of discrimination

DSS Director Eleanor Bourke presented a concise timeline of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's access to government payments at a youth conference.

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An excerpt from a document titled 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services in DSS', by Eleanor A Bourke.
Up until the mid 1960's [sic] the law allowing payments under the Social Security Act discriminated against Aboriginals. They did not have the same entitlements to pensions, benefits and allowances as other Australians.
Eleanor Bourke, DSS, 1986, p 5
Up until the mid 1960's [sic] the law allowing payments under the Social Security Act discriminated against Aboriginals. They did not have the same entitlements to pensions, benefits and allowances as other Australians.
Eleanor Bourke, DSS, 1986, p 5

1986

Task force recommends social security changes

DSS commissioned a report from the Remote Area Task Force in 1986. They recommended changes to support a more regular income flow to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers and to recognise cultural practices.

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Cover of 'A Report to the Minister for Social Security, The Hon. Brian Howe on Departmental Services to Remote Areas of Northern Australia'. The subtitle reads 'Remote Area Task Force'. There is an image of some native animals in an Indigenous art style. The publishing details featured at the bottom of the cover read: 'Joe Flick Chairperson Remote Area Task Force July 1986'
Aboriginal clients need improved access to the departmental services provided by Social Security, but they first need to be more aware of what Social Security is all about and what eligibility requirements exist to qualify for particular benefits.
Joe Flick, DSS, 1986, p 19
Aboriginal clients need improved access to the departmental services provided by Social Security, but they first need to be more aware of what Social Security is all about and what eligibility requirements exist to qualify for particular benefits.
Joe Flick, DSS, 1986, p 19

1987

Poster shows Aboriginal Liaison Network

DSS made a poster to put up in offices to show staff the national network of Aboriginal Liaison Officers.

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A poster with the title 'The National Aboriginal Liaison Network'. It has a map of Australia rendered in an artistic style, with many numbered yellow points marking locations across Australia. There is a silhouette of a hand on the right side of the map, with a white glow around it, to emulate a blown ochre art style. There is a long list of offices and the DSS logo is in the bottom right corner.
The National Aboriginal Liaison Network: Aboriginal Liaison Officers are available to assist you at these offices.
DSS, 1987
The National Aboriginal Liaison Network: Aboriginal Liaison Officers are available to assist you at these offices.
DSS, 1987

1988

Aboriginal Liaison Officers share experiences in training video

To train Aboriginal Liaison Officers, DSS created a video with stories from officers around the country.

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Map of Australia with the words 'I remember my first day' over it.
Always remember that you’re there ... working for your community ... I think you have to have a lot of commitment, dedication, to be able to have the drive to face the frustrations that you’ll face in social security, in working with a government bureaucracy.
Joe Flick, DSS, 1988
Always remember that you’re there ... working for your community ... I think you have to have a lot of commitment, dedication, to be able to have the drive to face the frustrations that you’ll face in social security, in working with a government bureaucracy.
Joe Flick, DSS, 1988

1988

Celebrity presents DSS training video

Cultural awareness and sensitivity became a priority for DSS. The department created a training video featuring an Aboriginal celebrity to encourage all staff to improve services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers.

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Photo of a rocky hill and leafless tree with the words 'Cultural crossroads: a guide for DSS staff in contact with Indigenous people' superimposed
It is the responsibility of everyone working for the DSS to make sure that all Australians, including Aborigines and Islanders, receive their proper entitlements.
Ernie Dingo in DSS training video, 1988
It is the responsibility of everyone working for the DSS to make sure that all Australians, including Aborigines and Islanders, receive their proper entitlements.
Ernie Dingo in DSS training video, 1988

1988

Review examines Australia’s social security system

The Social Security Review reported on improving Australia’s social security system and recommended policy changes to government. The review influenced decisions throughout the 1990s.

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Cover of the Social Security Review issues paper number 4 with the title 'Income Support for the Unemployed in Australia: Towards a More Active System' and a postal address for the review.
Significantly, this policy is a response to the aspirations and preferences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Bettina Cass for Social Security Review, 1988, p 252
Significantly, this policy is a response to the aspirations and preferences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Bettina Cass for Social Security Review, 1988, p 252

1989

DSS reviews policy on Aboriginal marriage practices

DSS’s policy on supporting multiple wives from traditional marriages was unclear in the late 1980s. Research into the issue suggested solutions.

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Cover of the North Australia Development Unit document titled 'Response to the Central Office Discussion Paper on Polygamous Marriages'.
The treatment of aspects of Aboriginal culture – such as polygamy – will be an indication of how the Department of Social Security can adapt to rapid change and how far the commitment to equity and social justice has come.
Bill Pennington, 1990
The treatment of aspects of Aboriginal culture – such as polygamy – will be an indication of how the Department of Social Security can adapt to rapid change and how far the commitment to equity and social justice has come.
Bill Pennington, 1990
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