News and Media
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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The cost of living is ripping our social fabric. Who can mend this?
The stakes could hardly be higher for this ACT election, but you might not know it listening to many political parties and candidates. Global and national forces are ratcheting up the financial pressure on households, with an unprecedented growth of the working poor in the territory. A fundamental challenge this election is preventing the lower […]
Breaking point: financial stress of ongoing cost-of-living crisis hitting low-income Canberrans hardest
ACTCOSS’s latest ACT Cost of Living Report reveals persistently high inflation and high interest rates are exacting a devastating toll on low-income households and adding to demand for community sector services across the ACT. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Devin Bowles said: “The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has extended the reach of financial stress to more and more […]
Joint Media Release: Once-in-a-generation leadership needed to tackle the ACT’s housing & homelessness problem
ACTCOSS and ACT Shelter have today launched their shared housing and homelessness election platform, which calls on all political parties and candidates in the upcoming ACT Election to commit to transformational investment in social housing. Amidst a housing crisis fuelling cost-of-living pressures, ACTCOSS and ACT Shelter warned of a deepening housing divide and growing homelessness […]
ACTforCommunity!
On July 30, in collaboration with the ACT Community Sector Peaks, ACTCOSS launched the ACTforCommunity Campaign! More than 70 community sector employees and volunteers gathered outside of ATODA and ACT Shelter to show their support for the campaign. Image Description: ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Devin Bowles, stands at a lecturn outside of ATODA and ACT Shelter. […]
Over 50 community organisations ask Canberrans to ACTforCommunity this election – Campaign Launch
The ACTforCommunity campaign launch is being held on Tuesday 30 July at 10am at a building typical of many community sector workplaces across the ACT. This is to highlight the need for more investment in the community sector and community service facilities. “The ACT Council of Social Services (ACTCOSS), the ACT Community Sector Peak bodies […]
Pressure on community groups means Canberrans are at risk of losing vital support
Locals know that beneath the capital’s shiny exterior, many Canberrans are doing it tough, but even many locals are unaware of the level of crisis faced by some in our community. To make matters worse, many community service organisations that ensure people in need are fed, have enough warm clothes, and stay safe are at […]
2024 ACT Budget lacks decisive action to meet cost-of-living crisis
Decisive action is required to help Canberrans doing it tough through the cost-of-living crisis. While the ACT Budget contains some welcome cost-of-living relief measures, the Budget as a whole does not sufficiently emphasise or help people being pushed to the economic margins. To be most effective for Canberrans in need, the Budget needed to target […]
National Reconciliation Week 2024
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the […]