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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Gas transition Bill provides certainty, but transition must be fair and inclusive
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed proposed legislation to transition the ACT away from its reliance on natural gas saying the new Bill provides certainty and is a positive step towards climate change mitigation. In its submission to the Inquiry into the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Natural Gas Transition) […]
Robodebt Royal Commission must deliver answers, accountability and protections
The ACT Council Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed the Robodebt Royal Commission as an important step to getting answers, accountability and better social security protections following this appalling abuse of power. Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO said: “ACTCOSS’s peak body, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) led the campaign to end Robodebt and […]
ACTCOSS welcomes expansion of Future of Education Equity Fund
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed the ACT Government’s announcement of the expansion of the Future of Education Equity Fund to replace the Secondary Bursary Scheme. The Equity Fund provides one-off payments to support vulnerable Canberra families to cover the costs of education expenses including school uniforms, excursions, equipment and extra […]
Gulanga Media Release: National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day – “My Dreaming, My Future”
Yesterday, the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) and the Gulanga Program observed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, an initiative of SNAICC, first held in 1988. The Gulanga Program acknowledges the significance of this day, and the strength, resilience and endurance of our babies, children and young people. Rachelle Kelly-Church, Head of the […]
ACT Budget – treading water
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed funding in today’s ACT Budget for housing, health and the ACT community sector but said more is needed to support Canberrans struggling as the cost of living skyrockets. The Budget, described by Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr MLA as “delivering for Canberrans now and into […]
Gulanga Media Release: ACT Budget – more community control needed
The ACT Council of Social Service’s Gulanga Program said that today’s ACT Budget responded to some of the calls from the ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, but much more is needed to be done to improve outcomes for First Nations peoples in the ACT. The 2022-23 ACT Budget, delivered by the Chief […]
ACTCOSS calls for significant investment in community services, cost of living, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) is calling for significant investment in community services, cost of living relief and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations ahead of the release of the 2022-23 ACT Budget tomorrow. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: “Cost of living pressures are continuing to increase in the ACT and more people are […]
‘Desperately needed’ housing investment welcomed
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed a $30 million investment to deliver promised public housing and $57.3 million to undertake public housing repairs. These investments are part of a package announced by the ACT Government in the lead up to the ACT budget on 2 August, comprising: $30 million investment to […]