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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Media release: Review of Bimberi finds evidence of good practice, but more support needed for children with disability
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) yesterday welcomed the release of the Healthy Centre Review of Bimberi Youth Justice Centre (Bimberi) from the ACT Office of the Inspector of Correctional Services (OICS). The Review highlighted that most of the young people housed at Bimberi felt physically and emotionally safe, and that the OICS observed […]
Media release: ACTCOSS welcomes Raise the Age discussion paper
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed the release of the Raising the Age discussion paper by the ACT Government. The ACT Government is calling for expert and community input into legislative reform to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 years to 14 years of age. ACTCOSS CEO Dr Emma Campbell […]
Joint media release: Investment in mental health services welcomed by community sector
MHCC ACT and ACTCOSS joint media release. The Mental Health Community Coalition ACT (MHCC ACT) and the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) have welcomed today’s announcement of $15.8 million to extend funding introduced during COVID-19 for mental health programs across Canberra. The package includes investment in community-based mental health services, funding for the Police, […]
Media release: Court Transport Unit review highlights failings in staff training and care of children and young people
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today expressed concern over an ACT Inspector of Correctional Services’ report on the ACT Court Transport Unit (CTU) that highlighted a lack of training for CTU officers, unfit vehicles and risks to children and young people. The ACT Corrective Services Court Transport Unit 2020 report, released last Friday, […]
Media release: ACT Election 2020: Supporting women, children and families
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) yesterday released its 2020 ACT Election issue brief: Supporting Canberra’s Women, Children and Families. In its issue brief, ACTCOSS called on a new ACT Government to commit to measures including reform of the child protection system, increased investment in specialist women’s services and additional support for children and […]
Media release: More to do to support parents, children and carers in ACT’s child protection system
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed the Adoption Amendment Act 2020, which comes into effect tomorrow, that clarifies ACT legislation on when a child can be adopted without the consent of their parent. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: “The permanent removal of a child from a parent without parental consent is […]
Media release: ACTCOSS welcomes ACT Greens’ call to #RaiseTheAge – the ACT must act
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed a call from the ACT Greens to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 14 years old. Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO, said: “Today the ACT Greens showed strong leadership on this important issue by recognising that the ACT must act […]
Media release: ACTCOSS joins calls for ACT Government to #RaiseTheAge of criminal responsibility
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today joined organisations from the youth, legal, human rights and Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander sectors to call on the ACT Government to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 14 years old. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell, said: “ACTCOSS is […]