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 housing announcements
The ACT Council of Social Service has welcomed the ACT Government’s announcement of a $61 million investment in public housing, including the construction of 60 public housing properties, taking the total number of additional public housing dwellings promised under the Strategy to 2060. The announcement also includes building upgrades and energy efficiency improvements to existing […]
Media release: ACTCOSS to give evidence to public hearing on Evaluation of ACT Policing Arrangements
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) will today give evidence to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety on the Evaluation of Current ACT Policing Arrangements. Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO said: “For a robust evaluation of ACT Policing arrangements the Committee should hear a range of views from the community. “In June, […]
Media release: ACT social housing shortfall of 3,000 dwellings
Heat maps released today by Homelessness Australia and Everybody’s Home have revealed a shortfall of 3,000 social housing dwellings in the ACT, while almost 1,600 people in the ACT are homeless. These figures, released at the start of Homelessness Week 2020, highlight yet again the urgent need for the Federal and ACT governments to deliver […]
Media release: Good start for building quality but more to do
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the release of the report from the Inquiry into Building Quality in the ACT by the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, as well as work to improve certification, but has warned of consequences for low-income and vulnerable households unless a focus on improving building […]
Media release: ACTCOSS joins calls for ACT Government to #RaiseTheAge of criminal responsibility
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today joined organisations from the youth, legal, human rights and Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander sectors to call on the ACT Government to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 14 years old. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell, said: “ACTCOSS is […]
Media release: Extension of protections for renters welcomed, but more action is needed
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed yesterday’s announcement by the ACT Attorney General, Gordon Ramsay MLA, that the eviction moratorium for COVID-19 impacted residential tenants has been extended for three months to 22 October 2020. The Attorney General also responded to calls from ACTCOSS and other advocates to allow COVID-19 impacted households […]
Media release: Vale: Sue Salthouse – a great Canberra leader
The Board and staff of the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) express our deep shock and sadness at the tragic passing of Sue Salthouse. Sue Salthouse made an extraordinary contribution to the whole Canberra community. Sue was an important national and Canberra disability activist, the long-term Chairperson of Women with Disabilities ACT, the 2015 […]
Media release: Thousands of Canberrans face hardships as JobSeeker supplement reduced
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today expressed dismay at the decision to reduce the JobSeeker supplement leaving thousands of Canberrans facing reductions in income. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell, said: “Since the end of last year, the number of people on JobSeeker and Youth Allowance has more than doubled in the ACT. From […]