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: Community COVID-19 rescue package welcomed
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed key elements of the ACT Government’s rescue and stimulus package announced today in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The package includes support for low-income people through rates and rebates, a cash payment to housing tenants, funding for community organisations at the front line and […]
Media release: Scrutiny of Government progress welcomed
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed last week’s public hearings on government services by the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB). The annual hearings provide an opportunity for scrutiny of ACT Government programs by ATSIEB. ATSIEB was created to enable Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT […]
Media release: ACTCOSS welcomes ACT Wellbeing Framework
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed the release of the ACT Wellbeing Framework by the ACT Government. ACTCOSS CEO Dr Emma Campbell said: “ACTCOSS has long seen the need for an agreed set of wellbeing goals to guide government decision making and to track our progress beyond standard economic indicators. “We welcome […]
Joint media release: ACTCOSS and YWCA Canberra call on federal government to mark International Women’s Day with a commitment to equal pay
ACTCOSS and YWCA Canberra joint media release Ahead of International Women’s Day, the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) and YWCA Canberra are calling on the federal government to commit to equal pay for workers in the community sector. Almost a decade ago, a landmark decision by the Fair Work Commission found that work performed […]
Media release: Stimulus – focus on low-income and housing action
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) is urging the ACT Government to prioritise investment in social housing infrastructure when proposing to the federal government new measures to stimulate the economy. The federal government has written to state and territory governments, seeking projects as part of its economic stimulus package and asking for infrastructure to […]
Media release: ACTCOSS calls on the ACT Government to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has called on the ACT Government to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 years old from the current level of 10 years old. Responding to the Council of Attorneys-General Review of Age of Criminal Responsibility, ACTCOSS joined the Australian Medical Association, Law Council of Australia, […]
Media release: Survey shows ACT community services and workers at risk from funding uncertainty
ACT community service leaders are concerned that the Federal Government has yet to commit to the continuation of funding put in place to ensure staff can be fairly paid in this important sector. The sector provides homelessness, food relief, mental health and many other community services. A survey of community service sector leaders has found […]
Media Release: ACTCOSS welcomes debate on a fairer way forward for fines
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed a new bill in the ACT Legislative Assembly that will offer more flexible payment options for people facing fines. Dr Emma Campbell, CEO of ACTCOSS said: “a flat rate fine imposes greater punishment on a person with a low income than it does on high income […]