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 gives evidence on ACT drug reform bill
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today gave evidence to the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Select Committee on the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021. The Bill, aimed at decriminalising small amounts of certain drugs for personal use, will help ensure people who use drugs access appropriate healthcare and supports rather than ending […]
Media release: Income support must address costs of disability
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has joined the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) as well as ACT disability representative organisations in calling for an improvement in income support for people with disability in a submission to the federal Inquiry into the purpose, intent and adequacy of the Disability Support Pension (DSP) published […]
Media release: Time to consider free public transport: ACTCOSS
With the ACT Government today flagging major disruptions for city commuters including Commonwealth Avenue lane closures and diversions in place for several years and reports traffic capacity will drop by almost 80%, the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has renewed calls for the ACT Government to consider making public transport free in Canberra. According […]
Media release: Consent laws must protect vulnerable people
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has given feedback on Dr Marisa Paterson MLA’s exposure draft of the Crimes (Consent) Amendment Bill 2021. The Bill introduces a new definition of consent based on free and voluntary agreement. In its response, ACTCOSS agreed to a need for consent to be communicated, not assumed. This brings […]
Media release: ACTCOSS gives evidence to ACT planning inquiry
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today told an ACT Legislative Assembly Inquiry that urgent action was needed to increase the supply of public and community housing. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell told the inquiry that the ACT Government must commit to the full, transparent and timely delivery of the ACT Housing Strategy and […]
Media release: ACT Government commits to continued funding for essential ACT services
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed confirmation by the ACT Government that key frontline community services would continue to receive funding from 1 July 2021 following the delay of the 2021-22 ACT Budget to 31 August 2021. Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO said: “As a result of the delayed ACT Budget, many […]
ACTCOSS calls on ACT Government to fully fund community services
In the lead up to the 2021-22 ACT Budget, the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has made a submission to the ACT Government’s Budget Consultation. The 2021-22 ACT Budget will be released on 31 August 2021. In its submission, ACTCOSS has listed its priority policies for the achievement of a just and fair Canberra. […]
Media release: Review of Bimberi finds evidence of good practice, but more support needed for children with disability
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) yesterday welcomed the release of the Healthy Centre Review of Bimberi Youth Justice Centre (Bimberi) from the ACT Office of the Inspector of Correctional Services (OICS). The Review highlighted that most of the young people housed at Bimberi felt physically and emotionally safe, and that the OICS observed […]