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 ACT Greens’ call to #RaiseTheAge – the ACT must act
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed a call from the ACT Greens to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 14 years old. Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO, said: “Today the ACT Greens showed strong leadership on this important issue by recognising that the ACT must act […]
Media release: Government finally delivers on ACTCOSS call for free public WiFi network
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the ACT Government’s long overdue announcement that it will expand Canberra’s free public WiFi network to additional suburbs. This announcement came on the eve of a national report on telecommunications affordability for waged poor households released by the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) and […]
Media release: ACT Election 2020: supporting the community services sector
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today released the first of its twelve issues briefs for the 2020 ACT Election to be rolled out over the next few weeks. The issues brief – Supporting the Community Services Sector – calls for the incoming ACT Government to conduct a full needs analysis to understand increasing […]
Media Release: ACTCOSS, ACT Shelter and CHIA (ACT Region) Response to Public Housing Stimulus Package
$61m public housing investment welcomed, but at what opportunity cost for thousands still waiting for a home? ACT Shelter, ACTCOSS and the Community Housing Industry Association (ACT Region) collectively welcome the Homelessness Week Housing Stimulus announced by the Chief Minister today but question the opportunity cost, and warn that without substantial and sustained ongoing investment […]
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 […]