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 gives evidence on the urgent need for more transparency and accountability in the ACT child protection system
The ACT Council of Social Service this week called for more transparency and a robust external review mechanism of child protection decisions in its evidence to the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Inquiry into Child and Youth Protection Services (CYPS). Echoing calls from key stakeholders including the ACT Human Rights Commission and Legal Aid ACT, CEO of […]
Media release: We’ve waited too long – Newstart boost backed
ACTCOSS has backed calls by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) to raise the rate of Newstart and allowances as part of their Federal Budget Submission released today. Together with business, regional, health and community groups, ACOSS have been calling for Newstart to be raised for over a decade and in that time the […]
Media release: New CEO for ACTCOSS
The Chair of the Board of the ACT Council of Social Service, Glenda Stevens, has announced the appointment of Dr Emma Campbell as the new Chief Executive Officer of ACTCOSS. This follows the departure of the previous CEO, Susan Helyar, in November 2019. Dr Campbell is a former CEO of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ […]
Media release: Record breaking weather hits poor hardest
Only a few weeks into summer and extreme weather conditions are reminding us all of the need for strong action on climate change and better planning to ensure our city works for those most at risk in extremes of heat and cold. According to Craig Wallace, ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) Policy Manager, “After […]
Media release: Just transition must be focus of five-year plan for sustainable energy in ACT
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) is calling on the ACT Government to assess all measures in its next 5-year plan for sustainable energy against criteria for a just transition to zero net greenhouse gas emissions in the ACT by 2045. Responding to the ACT Government’s ACT Sustainable Energy Policy 2020-25 Discussion Paper, ACTCOSS […]
COSS media release: PM called on to protect equal pay funding for feminised caring sector
Joint Councils of Social Service media release. Original post on the ACOSS website. The Councils of Social Service (COSS) Network, representing the community sector across Australia, is calling on the Morrison Government to prevent impending cuts to community services, which would negatively impact the national gender pay gap. The COSS Network has written to the […]
COSS media release: Political inaction on climate change is hurting our most vulnerable, worsening poverty and inequality
Joint Councils of Social Service media release. Original post on ACOSS website. In the midst of unprecedented bushfires and international climate talks in Madrid, the Councils of Social Service are calling for urgent government action on climate change to support those hardest hit by its impacts – people on low incomes or experiencing disadvantage. In […]
COSS media release: Dangerous and outrageous – Councils of Social Service condemn proposed funding cut to national voice for First Nations women on domestic violence
Joint Councils of Social Service media release. Original post on ACOSS website. The Councils of Social Service across the country have joined together to urge the Morrison Government to reinstate funding to the National Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services Forum (NFVPLS) the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims and survivors […]