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: Canberra’s Housing and Homelessness Crisis Worsens
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has called on the ACT Government to urgently review the implementation of its housing strategy and improve community oversight following today’s release of a national report that shows major failings in the ACT Government’s policy to address the Territory’s housing crisis. The Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services […]
Media release: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children continue to be overrepresented in child protection and youth justice systems
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has called on the ACT Government to progress work to implement all recommendations from the Our Booris, Our Way report and increase investment in Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, following today’s release of a national report showing the continued overrepresentation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children in child protection […]
Media release: ACTCOSS welcomes more discussion on fairer way forward for fines
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed the ACT Legislative Assembly’s call for close consultation with the community sector to ensure that people on low incomes are not unfairly impacted by the imposition of fines. A report published by the Planning, Transport and City Services Standing Committee on the impact of revised […]
Media release: Implementing OPCAT: Protecting the human rights of detainees in the ACT
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed news that the ACT Government has designated three independent bodies to ensure the human rights of people in detention are protected. The Office of the Inspector of Correctional Services, the ACT Human Rights Commission and the ACT Ombudsman to the Commonwealth have been appointed as the […]
Community sector and vulnerable Canberrans need open access to Rapid Antigen Tests
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today called for Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to be universally available to all Canberrans who need them. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: “The provision of up to 10 free tests for concession and health care card holders is a good start. However, thousands of Canberrans will […]
Report highlights need for more community sector funding
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has called for more funding for the community sector following the release of a report highlighting increased demand across the ACT for services including housing and homeless supports, domestic and family violence crisis services and mental health supports. ACOSS’s Australian Community Sector Survey 2021, released today, showed that […]
Media release: Canberra renters need further insulation against high energy and housing costs
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today called for greater ambition to address significant social, economic and health inequities experienced by renters in the ACT. In response to the ACT Government’s consultation paper on minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes, ACTCOSS has made a submission welcoming the government’s new minimum standards, but […]
Media release: Addressing Period Poverty and Stigma in the ACT
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the introduction of a Bill to help address period poverty and the stigma associated with periods in the ACT. The draft Bill, released today by Suzanne Orr MLA, aims to ensure reasonable access to free period products at places of education and at ACT Government-run locations. […]