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 the launch of Close the Gap Campaign Report 2021
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed the launch of the Close the Gap Campaign Report 2021 – Leadership and Legacy through Crisis: Keeping Our Mob Safe which highlights both the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities in responding to the immense public health and climate challenges posed by […]
Media release: ACTCOSS welcomes ACT Ombudsman report into ACT Policing’s engagement with Aboriginal communities
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed the report by the Commonwealth and ACT Ombudsman, Michael Manthorpe PSM, into ACT Policing’s engagement with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. ACTCOSS CEO Dr Emma Campbell said: “This report highlights major procedural gaps in ACT Policing’s engagement with ACT Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities […]
Media release: ACTCOSS welcomes Technology Upgrade Fund for community sector
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed $1.4 million over four years to deliver a new Technology Upgrade Fund for community service organisations. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell, said: “Even before COVID-19 there was a high level of need among Canberrans for the services of our hard-working and dedicated community sector organisations. […]
Media release: JobSeeker rate must rise by at least $25 a day
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has called on the Federal Parliament to increase the JobSeeker payment by at least $25 a day on top of the old Newstart rate of $40 a day. ACTCOSS made this call in a submission to the Senate Community Affairs Committee inquiry into the Social Services Legislation Amendment […]
Media release: Government must investigate systemic racism in Canberra’s prison
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed the appointment of Ms Christine Nixon as chair of the new Oversight Committee to develop a blueprint for change for the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC) and Court Transport Unit. However, ACTCOSS said that without an inquiry into systemic racism in Canberra’s prison, the injustice experienced by […]
Media release: A heartless betrayal – Federal Government JobSeeker decision
The ACT Council of Social Service said that today’s Federal Government JobSeeker decision is devastating news for the many Canberrans receiving income support. The announcement – a measly $3.57 a day above the brutal old Newstart rate – will plunge thousands of Canberrans deeper into poverty as they struggle to cover the basics including food, […]
Media release: It’s time to reboot our Canberra planning debate
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today released a wide-ranging submission to the ACT Government’s ongoing Territory Planning Review. The submission calls for the new system to be evidence based, to prioritise people most affected by poor planning and to focus on social and inclusive planning. ACTCOSS Acting CEO Craig Wallace says: “We […]
Media release: Facebook community restrictions slammed
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has slammed a decision by the social media giant Facebook which saw some community organisations around the country unable to post and share information with vulnerable clients and service users. According to A/g Chief Executive Officer Craig Wallace: “We are very concerned by reports that we’ve been hearing […]