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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Census population data highlights the need for major investment in the ACT community sector
Media Release The ACT Council of Social service (ACTCOSS) has called for major investment from the ACT Government and Federal Government in community services and infrastructure in light of a 20,000 person undercount of the ACT’s population. The new population figure, revealed in the release of the 2021 census results, has significant implications for the […]
End of ACT Equity to Access COVID-19 vaccination program
Media Release The ACT Council of Social service (ACTCOSS) has commended the ACT Government for its work and partnership with the community sector to deliver the ACT Equity to Access COVID-19 vaccination program. The ACT Equity to Access program, which ends on 30 June, helped people get vaccinated who faced high COVID-19 health risks and/or […]
ACT Government must maintain adequate utilities assistance for low-income households as costs rise
Media Release The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has called on the ACT Government to permanently increase the Utilities Concession in 2022-23 as Canberrans face a higher combined utilities bill alongside further increases in the cost of housing, food and fuel. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: “In recent weeks we have heard much […]
CASP Wellbeing Newsletter – Issue 3 out now
Welcome to the third issue of our wellbeing newsletter! This newsletter is designed for frontline workers of the ACT Community Assistance and Support Program (CASP) – which includes volunteers and staff of subcontracted organisations. This newsletter is to provide additional wellbeing support in recognition of the unique challenges faced by frontline workers during the pandemic. […]
Community welcomes Committee support for enabling accessible human rights complaints
Joint media release from ACTCOSS, Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC), Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) and Canberra Community Law (CCL). A number of community organisations, including the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS), the Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC), Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) and Canberra Community Law (CCL) have today welcomed recommendations […]
Listening to those with the least: ACTCOSS calls for a new Social Planning Unit in ACT Planning System Review
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today made a submission to the ACT Planning System Review and Reform Project calling for a system that better reflects the needs of vulnerable people. ACTCOSS Deputy CEO, Adam Poulter said: “We welcome the draft planning legislation and the ‘Good Planning Principles’ it contains. While the principles […]
Public housing tenants given 48 hour deadline
Media Release ACT Public Housing tenants, many of whom have been in their homes for decades, have been given just two days to prepare for a formal hearing to argue why they should not be forcibly relocated. The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) said today that public housing tenants threatened with loss of their […]
ACTCOSS welcomes increase to minimum wage recognising vital efforts of frontline workers
Media Release The ACT Council of Social service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the Fair Work Commission’s announcement of a 5.2% increase to national minimum wage and 4.6% increase to modern award minimum wages. This approach recognises the challenges that low income workers are facing with high inflation and rapidly rising cost of living. ACTCOSS Chief Executive […]