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Artefacts about 1980s

An excerpt from a document titled 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services in DSS', by Eleanor A Bourke.
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.
Cover of 'A Report to the Minister for Social Security, The Hon. Brian Howe on Departmental Services to Remote Areas of Northern Australia'. The subtitle reads 'Remote Area Task Force'. There is an image of some native animals in an Indigenous art style. The publishing details featured at the bottom of the cover read: 'Joe Flick Chairperson Remote Area Task Force July 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.
A poster with the title 'The National Aboriginal Liaison Network'. It has a map of Australia rendered in an artistic style, with many numbered yellow points marking locations across Australia. There is a silhouette of a hand on the right side of the map, with a white glow around it, to emulate a blown ochre art style. There is a long list of offices and the DSS logo is in the bottom right corner.
Poster shows Aboriginal Liaison Network
DSS made a poster to put up in offices to show staff the national network of Aboriginal Liaison Officers.
Map of Australia with the words 'I remember my first day' over it.
Aboriginal Liaison Officers share experiences in training video
To train Aboriginal Liaison Officers, DSS created a video with stories from officers around the country.
Photo of a rocky hill and leafless tree with the words 'Cultural crossroads: a guide for DSS staff in contact with Indigenous people' superimposed
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.
Cover of the Social Security Review issues paper number 4 with the title 'Income Support for the Unemployed in Australia: Towards a More Active System' and a postal address for the review.
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.
Cover of the North Australia Development Unit document titled 'Response to the Central Office Discussion Paper on Polygamous Marriages'.
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.
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