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: ACTCOSS welcomes steps to recognise carers
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the introduction of legislation to the ACT Legislative Assembly that will strengthen support for the many tens of thousands of Canberrans who provide unpaid care to family members or friends who need support because of disability, chronic illness, mental illness, drug or alcohol issues, dementia or […]
Media Release: ACTCOSS welcomes key recommendations in COVID-19 report
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed recommendations from the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Select Committee on the COVID-19 2021 pandemic response including a call for appropriate and ongoing funding for community services tasked with responding to increased need. The Committee’s recommendations reflected many of the key issues raised in ACTCOSS’s verbal and […]
Media Release: Proposed Religious Discrimination Bill to impact marginalised communities
ACTCOSS today expressed its deep concern about the Federal Government’s proposed Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 and its potential impact on marginalised communities. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: “People of faith should – of course – be protected from discrimination. However, we are concerned that the ‘statements of belief’ provisions included in the draft bill […]
Joint Media Release: Report recommends harm reduction and investment in the alcohol and other drug sector
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Association ACT (ATODA) have today welcomed the release of a report on the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021 by the ACT Legislative Assembly. The Bill, aimed at decriminalising small amounts of certain drugs for personal use, will help […]
Media Release: Employment, housing key to reducing ACT’s recidivism rate
New research has shown that employment and housing for those leaving prison are key to preventing recidivism and a subsequent return to detention. The research, which focused on former detainees in the ACT, highlighted the importance of reducing barriers to employment for people leaving prison, so that they are better equipped to begin life after detention […]
Media Release: New rent relief fund welcomed
ACTCOSS today has welcomed an announcement today by the Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury MLA that the ACT Government is introducing a rent relief scheme to respond to challenges facing low income renters during COVID-19. The Scheme will provide a $1000 payment for people in rental hardship. According to Government guidelines eligible tenants must pay more than […]
Media Release: Enough is enough – a decade of NDIS stress must end
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has joined disability advocates and the Australian Council of Social Service in calling for an end to uncertainty about the future of the National Disability Insurance Scheme after comments by the Federal Minister were reported (paywall) in The Australian Newspaper today. According to the report, Federal Minister Reynolds […]
Media Release: Proposed voter ID to impact the most vulnerable
ACTCOSS today expressed its deep concern about the Federal Government’s proposed voter ID reforms. The Electoral Legislation Amendment (Voter Integrity) Bill 2021 seeks to make it compulsory for voters to show identification before voting “to reduce voter fraud in the form of voter impersonation” – despite evidence showing that risk of voting fraud in Australia […]