Video helps staff explain new payments
DSS made a video to help staff introduce new payments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers. The video shows how to apply and how to help customers in remote areas.
The AILO, SNAP Officers or Remote Visiting Teams in those regions ... will be on hand in the communities to help people to fill in the forms and also to take the forms back ...
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In 1994, new government payments became available – Home Child Care Allowance (HCCA) and Partner Allowance.
The Department of Social Security (DSS) ran a live broadcast to help staff explain the payments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers.
The broadcast opens with DSS presenter Elizabeth Stehr making a short introduction. She urges staff to record the middle section of the video and play it to Community Agents and customers to help them know how the payments work.
The section for staff to record features Yanyuwa woman and ABC presenter, Malarndirri McCarthy. McCarthy uses simple language and repetition to help her audience understand the payments.
In the video, but not included in these excerpts, McCarthy brings a HCCA form to Aboriginal women sitting under a tree. She explains how to apply for the payment and return the form. Only sections of the video where participants could give permissions are included here.
In a different part also not included here, McCarthy explains Partner Allowance to a group of people under a shelter. She explains that a couple will now share a partner’s payment equally. Graphics show cash being divided in half to illustrate this point.
McCarthy reminds viewers to fill out the form so their existing payments don’t stop. She says people should ask their Community Agents or Aboriginal and Islander Liaison Officers for help.
The video also includes an advertisement meant for a non-Indigenous audience to be played on TV.
The video returns to the studio where Elizabeth Stehr is with a panel of DSS staff. They answer live questions about the payments, including from staff who call in with concerns about how to reach people in remote areas.
This video shows how DSS created targeted content for staff and customers about new payments impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers.
These payments changed the following year, and the department made another video for customers using similar techniques.
This video was edited to only show people who gave their permission for use in the excerpt.
The DSS Corporate Television Unit produced this video in 1994. The original VHS is held in the Department of Social Services Library.
The government introduced HCCA in 1994 as a payment intended for parents caring for children at home in place of a tax rebate. Partner Allowance meant that existing customers who were in a couple each received half of a payment, instead of the full payment going only to one person.
The payments were folded into a new payment, Parenting Allowance, by 1995.
Permissions
Permissions to include these excerpts were granted by Senator Malarndirri McCarthy and Mr Eddie Hollingsworth.
Citation
Department of Social Security (1994) Two new social security payments [video], Corporate Television Unit, Department of Social Security, Australian Government, Canberra.