Artefacts about Torres Strait Islander Affairs

Letter to the Prime Minister from the Queensland Premier

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.

Thumbnail image of a letter from A W Cox to the Under Secretary of the Department of Health and Home Affairs, dated 14 November 1957.

Queensland officials argue on behalf of unemployed Torres Strait Islander men

In the late 1950s, many Queensland Government officials wrote to the federal government arguing for Torres Strait Islander men living on the outer islands to receive Unemployment Benefit.

Black and white photograph of a large group of older men in suits seated around a table in a conference room. They are all looking at the camera. In the image are (from the far head of the table, clockwise) federal Ministers Hugh Roberton, Paul Hasluck; H Winston Noble from Queensland, Charles Collier Perkins and SG Middleton from WA; GC Smith from Tasmania; and Glen Pearson from South Australia, among others. NAA: A1200, L37460.

Conference confirms exclusion of Torres Strait Islander seasonal workers

During a government conference, ministers discussed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's eligibility for government payments and debated the exclusion of Torres Strait Islander seasonal workers from Unemployment Benefit.

Cover of A Yinjilli Leaflet: Social Services for Aborigines by Shirley Andrews and Rodney Hall. Publishing information says the leaflet is published by the Federal Council for Aboriginal Advancement in 1963.

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.

Torres Strait Islander’s activism leads to change

In her autobiographies, Ellie Gaffney discussed her work advocating for direct payments for Torres Strait Islander people and for a DSS office to be established on Thursday Island.

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.

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