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: 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 […]
Media release: ACTCOSS supports call for inquiry into systemic racism in Canberra’s prison
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today called on all members of the ACT Legislative Assembly to support today’s motion by Elizabeth Kikkert MLA calling for an independent inquiry into systemic and/or institutional racism at Canberra’s prison, the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC). ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell, said: “In the wake of historic allegations […]
Media release: ACT Budget falls short on investment for struggling Canberrans
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) said that today’s ACT Budget fell short on the investments and vision required to ensure Canberrans facing disadvantage were protected as the ACT emerges from the COVID-19 crisis. The Budget includes pre-announced measures of $15.8 million to extend funding introduced during COVID-19 for mental health services, $2.6 million […]
Media release: ACTCOSS welcomes long overdue funding for Canberra’s First Nations families
ACTCOSS today welcomed a long overdue funding announcement by the ACT Government to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and families. The funding includes $4.9 million to implement recommendations of the Our Booris, Our Way review into the over-representation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children in the ACT child protection system and $1.6 […]
Joint media release: Calls for social housing to be prioritised in tomorrow’s ACT Budget
Leaders from across the housing and community sector have today written to the Minister for Housing, Yvette Berry MLA, calling for the ACT Government to match its significant investments in infrastructure projects, such as light rail and renewable energy, with similar investments in social housing. The letter, signed by the Community Housing Industry Association ACT […]