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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ACTCOSS supports call for review of fines compliance and enforcement system
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed Andrew Braddock MLA’s calls for the ACT Government to perform a cost/benefit analysis for the current compliance and enforcement system for those who fail to pay fines for minor transgressions. The motion, presented in the Legislative Assembly today, also calls for canvassing alternative options to […]
ACTCOSS calls for independent oversight, improved complaints mechanisms for racial vilification
On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has called on the ACT Government to improve oversight and review mechanisms to tackle racial vilification and discrimination. In a submission to the Legislative Assembly Inquiry into Racial Vilification in the ACT, ACTCOSS made several recommendations to help […]
ACT Government introduces new surrender initiative to cut down number of pokies
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed a new initiative aimed at reducing the reliance of Canberra’s community clubs on revenues from EGMs (Electronic Gaming Machines) or ‘pokies’. The initiative, announced by ACT Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury MLA, will pay Canberra’s community clubs $15,000 for each gaming machine authorisation surrendered. The payment will […]
ACTCOSS to meet with ACT Government on housing program
The ACT Government has responded to a call by ACTCOSS for urgent meetings to review the implementation of the Growing and Renewing Public Housing Program. “ACTCOSS has secured a meeting next week with the Director General and Deputy Director General of the Community Services Directorate which is responsible for Housing ACT,” the CEO of ACTCOSS, […]
Media release: ACTCOSS refutes claims of meaningful consultation on public housing moves
ACT Housing Minister Yvette Berry MLA today answered questions during Government reporting on its Growing and Renewing Public Housing program that has seen hundreds of ACT public housing tenants given notices to vacate their homes. In her evidence to the Health and Community Wellbeing Committee of the Legislative Assembly, Minister Berry claimed that community groups […]
Media release: ACTCOSS condemns heartless public housing moves
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today condemned the heartless implementation by the ACT Government of its public housing renewal program. In recent days, over 300 ACT Housing tenants – including older people, people with chronic health issues and people with disability – have been shocked to receive letters informing them that they […]
Recommendations for improved oversight of public health measures welcomed
ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed recommendations by the ACT Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Health and Community Wellbeing following the release of its Inquiry into the Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 (No 2) report. The aim of the Bill is to allow the ACT Government to issue public health directions in response […]
Media release: ACTCOSS welcome NDIS workforce inquiry recommendations
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed a report calling for improved funding, training, and support for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) workforce including investment in developing and growing the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander NDIS workforce. The NDIS Workforce Final Report published by the Australian Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on […]