Request for direct payments in South Australia results in change

Activist EM Willington successfully petitioned the government for direct payments for Aboriginal people who had earned an independent income, paid taxes and managed their money their whole lives.

Exploitation, including indirect payments, discussed at conference

Prominent Aboriginal activists discussed government policies and the issues of indirect government payments, wage theft and land rights at a conference in Queensland, criticising the government for their treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Community leader challenges racism in the media

In a magazine piece, an Aboriginal community leader called out an offensive article that had discussed Aboriginal rights and spread misinformation.

Officials report on payment management on missions and stations

Government officials reported on how managers of missions, stations and settlements were using government payments for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory. They collected minimal information from Aboriginal payment recipients.

Opposition calls for end to indirect payments for Aboriginal people

In letters sent in the early 1960s, the opposition questioned the government about the practice of missions, stations and reserves using Aboriginal people’s payments on their behalf. In their response, the government defended the practice.

Letters show level of government control in Queensland

In a series of letters, senior DSS officials discussed government payments at New Mapoon in Queensland. Their discussion revealed the deeper issue of the way the Queensland Government exerted control over Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s lives.

Advocates publish Yinjilli leaflet to help people understand entitlements 

With many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people missing out on payments, the Federal Council of Aboriginal Advancement wrote a leaflet to provide guidance about accessing payments.

Activists campaign for equal access to Tuberculosis Allowance

After discovering that the departments of Health and Social Services were discriminatory in how they delivered Tuberculosis Allowance, activists successfully campaigned to change government instructions.