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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
... 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.
... 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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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