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Here you’ll find news, announcements, and media releases from ACTCOSS and the Gulanga Program, along with major community sector news.

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4 April 2024 Learn more
Editorial

Let’s tear down this housing policy and completely rebuild

For an alarming proportion of Canberrans, securing and keeping appropriate housing is a struggle that is too often unsuccessful.  A quarter of a century ago, young adults worried about whether they could afford to buy a house, but for many that concern is now about whether they can afford to rent an apartment.  A growing number […]

4 April 2024 Learn more
Media release

10,000 new public housing dwellings welcome

The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) responded to today’s announcement by the ACT Greens of an election commitment to build and buy 10,000 new public housing dwellings in ten years.  “ACTCOSS calls on all parties and candidates to commit to similarly transformative change of the ACT’s housing system,” said Dr Devin Bowles.  “Business as […]

31 January 2024 Learn more
Editorial

Woolworths incident evokes the spirit of Robin Hood

Earlier this week, my children witnessed a man hastily push a trolley loaded with groceries out of Woolworths, skipping payment at self-checkout.  While no one in my family had seen anything similar before a couple of years ago, it is now a semi-regular occurrence. I’ve been wrestling with how to help my kids interpret this.  […]

9 January 2024 Learn more
Editorial

How long can the climate safety net hold?

The golden period between Christmas and New Year’s Day has traditionally been a time when Australians relaxed and recharged for the year ahead.  As climate change worsens, this period of respite will be viewed differently by today’s children, who will come to associate it with predictably unpredictable extreme weather events.  This year, many in Queensland were […]

9 January 2024 Learn more
Editorial

If nothing is done, we’ll be waving goodbye to middle-class Australia

There is growing understanding about the depth and extent of the Australian cost-of-living crisis, which is driving thousands of working families into poverty. It is less well appreciated that the most dramatic effects of the crisis will be in permanently remaking economic and social relationships across communities, driving and solidifying inequality. Without decisive government intervention, […]

20 December 2023 Learn more
Editorial

ACT government needs to step up its response to gambling harm

The non-profit community sector plays an essential role in helping people and families affected by gambling harms to rebuild their lives. Harms from gambling add to the workload of a wide range of services provided by the community sector. The community sector is stretched to the breaking point by these gambling harms.  To the ACT […]

20 December 2023 Learn more
Editorial

Are we all guilty of keeping quiet about Canberra’s hidden poverty?

The ACT is home to the highest median income nationally at $1158 a week. Almost one in 10 Canberrans earns over $3000 a week.  This relatively high median income hides the fact that 9 per cent of Canberrans live in poverty, including more than one in 10 children.  It is easy to look away from […]

12 December 2023 Learn more
Media release

Joint Media Release: Disability Sector Welcomes Rachel Stephen-Smith As New Disability Minister

On 11/12/2023 it was announced Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith will become the Minister for Disability in the ACT, replacing Minister Emma Davidson. We welcome Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith as the new Minister for Disability and look forward to a vibrant and robust working relationship with her and her team. We are eager to assist Minister Stephen-Smith to […]

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