Artefacts about 1990s

Excerpt titled 'Only man on the island', alongside a photograph of a man looking to the right, and a map of Tasmania with locations labelled.

DSS servicing for Aboriginal people expands in Tasmania

It took time and activism to establish government services for Aboriginal people in Tasmania. These DSS newsletters introduce the first Tasmanian Aboriginal Liaison Officer in 1984 and show how services expanded into the 1990s.

Colourful poster with a comic book-style panels with the headings 'Right story - right money' and 'When things change - tell Social Security'

DSS uses clear slogan in campaign

DSS used community scenarios on a poster to show when people needed to let the department know about changes of circumstances.

DSS video promotes SNAP

To encourage uptake of the Support Network for Aboriginal Parents (SNAP) Program, DSS made a video to explain how it worked.

Cover of the document 'Where to now? Department of Social Security Payments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities in North Australia. September 1990'. At the top of the page are the logos for the Department of Social Security and the North Australia Development Unit.

Report bases advice on Aboriginal people’s experiences

DSS asked residents of Aboriginal communities in northern Australia whether social security met their needs, what problems they had getting payments and if any changes to the system were needed.

A comic strip titled 'Important News!!'. The subtitle reads: 'Contact DSS or CES if you want to know more about Newstart'.

DSS introduces Newstart Allowance

DSS used a colourful poster to introduce Newstart Allowance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Cover of a comic called ‘Top-up money for kids’. It has a cartoon of an Aboriginal family standing in front of a store. A teenager is holding a box of groceries. Two women are holding bags of groceries and one is feeding a baby a banana. A young child is holding a shirt with the tag still attached. A woman is passing, holding hands with a child. She says, ‘You mob rich?’ The word ‘rich’ is underlined for emphasis.

DSS uses comic to explain a new payment

To give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families information about a new payment, DSS worked with Aboriginal professionals to publish a comic.

Torres Strait Islands video uses local footage and languages

DSS made a video to inform Torres Strait Islander people about the payments they could get and how to apply. It was recorded in 4 languages.

Cover of the Social Security Act 1991 with the Commonwealth Coat of Arms

Government simplifies Social Security Act

The government simplified social security legislation, with the intention of making it easier to understand. They also included passages encouraging positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

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