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: ACT Anti-Poverty Week 2021 Committee welcomes Chief Minister’s Support
The ACT Anti-Poverty Week 2021 Committee, co-chaired by Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO, and Jenny Kitchin, Woden Community Service CEO, thanked the ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr MLA, for the ACT Government’s sponsorship of ACT Anti-Poverty Week 2021. Anti-Poverty Week is held in October each year to coincide with the United Nations Day for the […]
Media release: Households and small businesses deserve protection from energy price hikes
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today wrote to Andrew Barr MLA, Chief Minister and Treasurer, and Shane Rattenbury MLA, Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction, to call for action to protect households, not-for-profits and small businesses from energy price hikes. Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO, said: “Last week Evoenergy announced that ACT […]
Media release: Prioritising the community sector essential for economic recovery, gender equality
Following yesterday’s meeting of the Morrison Government’s women’s cabinet taskforce and today’s meeting of federal, state and territory ministers for women’s safety, the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has written to the Chief Minister, Andrew Barr MLA, to urge him to promote gender equity through the ACT’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr […]
Media release: Urgent funding review needed for community legal services – Assembly Report
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has called for an urgent review of funding for community legal centres and services following recommendations by the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety Report [pdf]. “Community legal centres in the ACT have never lacked demand, but pressures on their services have grown substantially since COVID-19,” said […]
Media release: Removal of Coronavirus Supplement pushes Canberrans deeper into poverty
The removal of the Coronavirus supplement comes into effect tomorrow, impacting over 10,000 Canberrans receiving JobSeeker and an additional 9,000 Canberrans receiving other income supports. “While many Canberrans look forward to the prospect of a relaxing Easter long weekend, for the 10,000 Canberrans on JobSeeker plus other recipients of income support, financial anxiety will be […]
Joint media release: NO CHOICE AND NO VOICE Mooted NDIS changes slammed
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) and Advocacy for Inclusion (AFI) have joined forces to slam the proposed changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Act reported in the media today. A copy of a draft of legislation amending the Act was issued by the Shadow Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, […]
Media release: ACTCOSS welcomes extension of COVID-19 energy consumer protections
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the announcement yesterday by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) that it will extend the additional protections to support households and small businesses struggling with energy bills until 30 June 2021. Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO said: “We commend the AER for acting swiftly and proactively at […]
Media release: ACTCOSS Celebrates International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today celebrates the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and calls upon Canberrans to reflect on their personal responsibility in combatting racism. “This year’s theme is ‘Youth standing up against Racism’, and it is an opportunity to reflect on the power that young people have have […]