First Aboriginal-led publication calls for equal rights

The Aborigines Progressive Association fought for full citizenship rights for Aboriginal peoples, including social security benefits. They organised, protested and addressed political leaders. They spread their message through the first Aboriginal-led publication, The Australian Abo Call.

Leader fights for fair access to benefits

Aboriginal activist and leader, Pearl Gibbs, fought for fair access to pensions and income support payments. She questioned proposed changes to social services legislation.

Activist links citizenship and social service benefits

Aboriginal activist Shadrach Livingstone James petitioned the prime minister for federal citizenship rights for Aboriginal people. This included access to social security benefits and services.

Social Services Act excludes Aboriginal people

A new Act brought a range of social services together under federal government responsibility. It excluded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from payments unless they had an exemption.

Mission residents question exemption rules

Community leaders from South Australian missions questioned legislation that said they had to move away from missions to get government payments.

Torres Strait Islander cane cutters test benefit rules

In 1949, the government rejected requests by 6 Torres Strait Islander cane cutters for Unemployment Benefit. The Queensland Premier asked the prime minister to review the decision.

Aboriginal rail labourers fight for equal payments

In 1949, Aboriginal railway labourers who had been denied Unemployment Benefit successfully lobbied the government for financial support.

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.