1950s
In the 1950s, the states tightly controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s lives. Many people could not access government payments and those who could were often paid indirectly. These artefacts show the impacts of living under the Social Services Consolidation Act of 1947 and the work of activists campaigning for wider eligibility.
1950
Memoir shows wide-ranging discrimination
Doreen Kartinyeri’s life story holds details of a number of issues that her family faced in accessing government payments, including issues with living on missions, exemptions and child removal.
… sisters and brothers often received different benefits … same mother and father; same features, but different entitlements because one was lighter skinned than the other.
Doreen Kartinyeri, 2008, p 20
… sisters and brothers often received different benefits … same mother and father; same features, but different entitlements because one was lighter skinned than the other.
Doreen Kartinyeri, 2008, p 20
1954
Government decision to change Act takes years
Cabinet discussed changing discriminatory social services law several times during the 1950s. While these conversations eventually led to change, there was opposition at every step.
... some real discretion should be placed in the hands of the Minister and Department of Social Services, rather than to leave entitlement wholly dependent on exemption by the states …
Paul Hasluck, Minister for Territories, November 1953
... some real discretion should be placed in the hands of the Minister and Department of Social Services, rather than to leave entitlement wholly dependent on exemption by the states …
Paul Hasluck, Minister for Territories, November 1953
1955
Aboriginal families experience difficulties receiving payments
As an Elder, Ruth Hegarty fought for justice on behalf of Aboriginal people in Queensland who had been denied access to government payments and fair wages. Her activism was spurred on by her own experiences.
Like the rations, the earlier you arrived the better. One by one we were served with our choices of Store goods and much of our [Child] Endowment allowance was spent in this way.
Dr (Aunty) Ruth Hegarty, 2003, p 69
Like the rations, the earlier you arrived the better. One by one we were served with our choices of Store goods and much of our [Child] Endowment allowance was spent in this way.
Dr (Aunty) Ruth Hegarty, 2003, p 69
1956
DSS handbook shows Aboriginal exclusion
When DSS published a handbook about payments and eligibility for the public, it highlighted Aboriginal peoples’ exclusion from government payments.
But whatever the form of assistance, it is not only the individual who benefits. The community in general is strengthened because of social services and our whole national life is the richer for them.
Hugh S Roberton, Minister for Social Services, 1956
But whatever the form of assistance, it is not only the individual who benefits. The community in general is strengthened because of social services and our whole national life is the richer for them.
Hugh S Roberton, Minister for Social Services, 1956
1956
Aboriginal-led activism in New South Wales leads to change
In an excerpt in a book about the Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship, an Aboriginal veteran recalled the difficult fight for Aboriginal rights in New South Wales.
We didn’t get Social Service cheques until nineteen sixty-six. My Aunt had a licence. It cost her ten shillings and she was pleased when the cheques came because if you did not have a licence you couldn’t draw the dole.
Clarence Combo, 1983, p 29
We didn’t get Social Service cheques until nineteen sixty-six. My Aunt had a licence. It cost her ten shillings and she was pleased when the cheques came because if you did not have a licence you couldn’t draw the dole.
Clarence Combo, 1983, p 29
1957
Queensland officials argue on behalf of unemployed Torres Strait Islander men
In the late 1950s, many Queensland Government officials wrote to the federal government arguing for Torres Strait Islander men living on the outer islands to receive Unemployment Benefit.
I can only confirm the Department’s established policy of rejecting unemployment benefit claims from all Islanders who are unable to report with their weekly income statements … at Thursday Island.
AW Cox, DSS, November 1957
I can only confirm the Department’s established policy of rejecting unemployment benefit claims from all Islanders who are unable to report with their weekly income statements … at Thursday Island.
AW Cox, DSS, November 1957
1958
Autobiography shows breadth of work by Aboriginal activists
Joe McGinness campaigned for Aboriginal civil rights throughout his life. His autobiography shows the importance of Aboriginal voices in fighting for equal access to government payments, citizenship and equal wages.
Unemployment and sickness benefits were never paid in full in the north of Australia, because these benefits exceeded the wages of Aborigines. The economy could not tolerate such a state of affairs - and in fact did not.
Joe McGinness, 1991, p 72
Unemployment and sickness benefits were never paid in full in the north of Australia, because these benefits exceeded the wages of Aborigines. The economy could not tolerate such a state of affairs - and in fact did not.
Joe McGinness, 1991, p 72
1959
Social Services Act continues racial discrimination
The Social Services Act of 1947 was amended in 1959 and some of the discriminatory passages were removed. However, it continued to exclude some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from social services.
An aboriginal native of Australia who follows a mode of life that is, in the opinion of the Director-General, nomadic or primitive is not entitled to a pension, allowance, endowment or benefit under this Act.
Social Services Act 1959, section 137(a)
An aboriginal native of Australia who follows a mode of life that is, in the opinion of the Director-General, nomadic or primitive is not entitled to a pension, allowance, endowment or benefit under this Act.
Social Services Act 1959, section 137(a)
1959
Government disagreements delay payments for Aboriginal leprosy patients
Even when the government agreed to pay Aboriginal leprosy patients Invalid Pension, the payments were delayed by discussions about how much of the payment should go to patients and how much should be managed on their behalf.
This Department feels that the extension of full scale social service benefits to the inmates of East Arm would create a number of problems and in the long run would not be in the best interests of the pensioner himself.
WD Refshauge, Department of Health, 13 July 1961
This Department feels that the extension of full scale social service benefits to the inmates of East Arm would create a number of problems and in the long run would not be in the best interests of the pensioner himself.
WD Refshauge, Department of Health, 13 July 1961