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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ACTCOSS supports the Right to a Healthy Environment for all ACT citizens
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has supported a proposal to introduce the Right to a Healthy Environment under the ACT’s suite of human rights protections, but has called on the ACT Government to enact all Economic, Social and Cultural Rights including a Right to Housing. In its submission to the ACT Government, ACTCOSS […]
Free and ongoing access to period products for everyone who menstruates in the ACT
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has provided a submission to the Inquiry into the Period Products and Facilities (Access) Bill 2022. This welcome Bill addresses period poverty and the stigma associated with periods in the ACT. ACTCOSS is supportive of the introduction of this Bill as a means to address period poverty and […]
ACTCOSS calls for stronger rights and protections for social housing tenants
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed the proposal to end “no cause” evictions but has said that additional protections for private tenants must not come at the expense of social housing tenants. The ACT Government’s Draft Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2022 will remove “no cause” evictions for all tenants in the […]
ZEV policy not inclusive of Canberrans facing disadvantage
ACTCOSS has called on the ACT Government to do more so that Canberrans on low incomes and facing vulnerability are not left behind in the Territory’s move to net zero emissions. In its submission to the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Inquiry into Electric Vehicle (EV) Adoption in the ACT, ACTCOSS has said that the ACT Government […]
Gas transition Bill provides certainty, but transition must be fair and inclusive
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed proposed legislation to transition the ACT away from its reliance on natural gas saying the new Bill provides certainty and is a positive step towards climate change mitigation. In its submission to the Inquiry into the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Natural Gas Transition) […]
Robodebt Royal Commission must deliver answers, accountability and protections
The ACT Council Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed the Robodebt Royal Commission as an important step to getting answers, accountability and better social security protections following this appalling abuse of power. Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO said: “ACTCOSS’s peak body, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) led the campaign to end Robodebt and […]
ACTCOSS welcomes expansion of Future of Education Equity Fund
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed the ACT Government’s announcement of the expansion of the Future of Education Equity Fund to replace the Secondary Bursary Scheme. The Equity Fund provides one-off payments to support vulnerable Canberra families to cover the costs of education expenses including school uniforms, excursions, equipment and extra […]
Gulanga Media Release: National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day – “My Dreaming, My Future”
Yesterday, the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) and the Gulanga Program observed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, an initiative of SNAICC, first held in 1988. The Gulanga Program acknowledges the significance of this day, and the strength, resilience and endurance of our babies, children and young people. Rachelle Kelly-Church, Head of the […]