News and Media
Here you’ll find news, announcements, and media releases from ACTCOSS and the Gulanga Program, along with major community sector news.
News Filters
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 […]
Full range of human rights need to be enacted by ACT Government
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the ACT Government’s commitment to introduce a right to a healthy environment in the Human Rights Act 2004 but has called on the ACT Government to enact all Economic, Social and Cultural Rights including a right to housing. Minister for Human Rights, Tara Cheyne MLA […]
Community, business and housing leaders call on ACT Government to address housing crisis in next Budget
Joint media release, ACTCOSS, Canberra Business Chamber, Property Council ACT, ACT Shelter and the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA). Leaders of Canberra’s community, housing and business sectors have today called on the ACT Government to address the ACT’s housing crisis and commit to further action in the 2022-23 ACT Budget. In recent weeks, the ACT […]
ACTCOSS welcomes new moves to reduce harm from gambling
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed a significant step by the ACT Government towards reducing gambling harm by in the Canberra community. This follows today’s release by ACT Greens Leader and Attorney General Shane Rattenbury MLA of a discussion paper outlining the proposed changes to reduce harm from gambling for community consultation. […]
Media release: ACTCOSS welcomes Parliamentary Agreement
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement between ACT Labor and the ACT Greens for the 10th Legislative Assembly. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said that many of ACTCOSS’s policy recommendations had been reflected in the Agreement. “ACTCOSS is hopeful that these policies represent a strong commitment by […]
Media release: ACTCOSS says election result an opportunity for a fairer Canberra
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) said today that the ACT election campaign had demonstrated a desire by a growing number of Canberrans for a more equitable society in the ACT. ACTCOSS CEO Dr Emma Campbell said: “We were pleased to see that all the major parties attempted to address issues such as Canberra’s […]
Media release: ACT Election 2020: ACTCOSS releases election-eve checklist
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today issued a checklist of actions for the incoming ACT Government, aimed at achieving a fair and just Canberra. ACTCOSS CEO Dr Emma Campbell said: “This list of actions required by the incoming government is a ready-reference document not just for voters but for candidates seeking to be […]
Media release: Election 2020: Mixed verdict on community services
As the ACT election enters its final week, the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today delivered an assessment on funding promises for Canberra’s community service sector. ACTCOSS’s community services sector election brief, released in August, called for increased funding following an analysis of community need and the increased costs of delivering community services. The […]