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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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. […]
Media release: ACT Needs a Fairer Federal Grant Share
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today called on all ACT candidates in the coming federal election to explain to Canberra voters how they will make sure that the Territory receives its fair share of federal funding in the next parliament. This follows reports today on the disbursement of federal grants showing that […]
Media release: International Human Rights Day 2021 – let’s commit to action and delivery
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today marked International Human Rights Day by calling for more action to protect Canberrans most at risk of human rights violations. ACTCOSS CEO Dr Emma Campbell said: “This year, the theme for International Human Rights Day is ‘reducing inequalities, advancing human rights.’ “ACTCOSS has always advocated for policies […]
Media Release: Positive results on prisoner numbers but more to do
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the ABS 2021 Prisoners in Australia data released today that shows a decrease in the total number of prisoners in the ACT for the third successive year. The data, comparing prisoner numbers as of 30 June 2020 to numbers as of 30 June 2021, showed a […]
Joint Media Release: IDPWD 2021 – we must ensure no one is left behind
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today joined with Mental Health Community Coalition, Advocacy for Inclusion, (inc. PWD ACT Inc), Women with Disabilities ACT (WWDACT) and the ACT Disability, Aged & Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS) to mark the 2021 UN International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD). Spokespeople have provided statements reflecting on […]