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: Gas network pricing announcement provides clarity, call to action for just energy transition
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the clarity and certainty provided by today’s decision by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) on the 2021-26 ACT gas network access arrangements. Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO said: “Network costs make up about a quarter of a household gas bill. Today’s decision by the AER will […]
Media release: Inaccessible housing – time to end a human tragedy
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has joined with Rights & Inclusion Australia to welcome the ACT Government’s decision to support the inclusion of mandatory provisions for Universal Design in the National Construction Code (NCC). The two organisations believe this is a great opportunity for the Australian Government to demonstrate leadership and make a […]
Media release: ACTCOSS welcomes steps to help Canberrans find lower retail electricity prices
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed the announcement by ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr MLA, and Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions, Shane Rattenbury MLA, of legislation requiring ACT electricity retailers to use a common reference price and to inform their customers if a better deal is available. Dr Emma Campbell, […]
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 […]