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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Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children continue to be overrepresented in child protection and youth justice systems
Today’s release of the Productivity Commission’s Report on Government Services (RoGS) has shown that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children continue to be overrepresented in child protection and youth justice systems. The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) calls on the ACT Government to make the recommendations from the Our Booris, Our Way report [pdf](link […]
Overhaul of energy concessions needed as three million households struggle to pay their energy bills
Reforming electricity concessions to better meet need, a report released today by ACOSS, ACTCOSS and other partner social service organisations, found that while around three million households receive some form of ongoing financial assistance for their energy bills, the poor design and implementation of the assistance means too many people still can’t afford the energy […]
ACT least affordable jurisdiction for renters on low incomes
A report released today has shown that the ACT’s rental affordability is the worst in the country for people on low incomes – and continues to worsen. The Rental Affordability Index report issued jointly by National Shelter, SGS Economics & Planning, Beyond Bank and the Brotherhood of St Laurence highlighted that low-income households in […]
Full range of human rights need to be enacted by ACT Government
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the ACT Government’s commitment to introduce a right to a healthy environment in the Human Rights Act 2004 but has called on the ACT Government to enact all Economic, Social and Cultural Rights including a right to housing. Minister for Human Rights, Tara Cheyne MLA […]
Report shows that ACT Government must increase efforts to remove racism and discrimination
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed key recommendations by an ACT Legislative Assembly committee aimed at better protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from migrant and refugee backgrounds from racism and discrimination. The recommendations in the Inquiry into Racial Vilification report [pdf], published today by the ACT […]
Review of ACT Prison Reveals Serious Concerns
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has said that the 2022 Healthy Prison Review has highlighted serious issues with Canberra’s prison, including inadequate access to education and activities, major gaps in the provision of basic healthcare, inadequate infrastructure and inappropriate services for women The report, tabled today in the ACT Legislative Assembly by […]
ACT Planning Bill must prioritise Canberra’s most vulnerable
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) said today that the ACT Government must make stronger commitments to social and affordable housing, consultation with marginalised communities and delivering community infrastructure and amenities in its planning reform. In its submission to the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Inquiry into the Planning Bill 2022, ACTCOSS called on the ACT […]
ACTCOSS Welcomes Inclusion of Affordable Rentals in Build-to-Rent Scheme
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed the ACT Government’s announcement requiring the inclusion of affordable rental properties in existing or planned Build-to-Rent proposals and developments in the ACT. The ACT’s housing crisis has left a serious lack of affordable options for low-income Canberran households simultaneously struggling with cost of living stresses. […]