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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Implementation of prison Blueprint for Change recommendations must engage community
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today acknowledged the release of the Blueprint for Change staffing review of the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) and welcomed some of its key recommendations. The ACT Corrective Services Blueprint for Change Oversight Committee, chaired by Christine Nixon AO, APM, was engaged to make a broad examination of staffing […]
ACTCOSS renews its call for cost-benefit analysis on free public transport in the ACT
ACTCOSS’s call follows a motion introduced in the Legislative Assembly today by Mark Parton MLA calling for bus travel to be made free in the ACT for six weeks. A similar scheme has been implemented in Tasmania until the end of April to help with rising fuel prices and to ease congestion. ACTCOSS CEO Dr […]
Barr Government commits to review of housing relocation program
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today congratulated the Barr Government on its commitment to review the implementation of the Growing and Renewing housing program. At a meeting with ACTCOSS on Friday, Minister for Housing Yvette Berry MLA and Minister for Homelessness and Housing Services, Rebecca Vassarotti MLA agreed to review the process by […]
Federal Budget should not miss opportunity to create a fairer future
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has called on the Australian Government to use tomorrow’s budget as an opportunity to create a fairer future for people on low and moderate incomes. Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO, said: “This federal budget provides an opportunity for investment that not only drives economic recovery but also reduces […]
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, […]