Media release
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the ABS 2021 Prisoners in Australia data released today that shows a decrease in the total number of prisoners in the ACT for the third successive year. The data, comparing prisoner numbers as of 30 June 2020 to numbers as of 30 June 2021, showed a […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today joined with Mental Health Community Coalition, Advocacy for Inclusion, (inc. PWD ACT Inc), Women with Disabilities ACT (WWDACT) and the ACT Disability, Aged & Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS) to mark the 2021 UN International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD). Spokespeople have provided statements reflecting on […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed recommendations from the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Select Committee on the COVID-19 2021 pandemic response including a call for appropriate and ongoing funding for community services tasked with responding to increased need. The Committee’s recommendations reflected many of the key issues raised in ACTCOSS’s verbal and […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the introduction of legislation to the ACT Legislative Assembly that will strengthen support for the many tens of thousands of Canberrans who provide unpaid care to family members or friends who need support because of disability, chronic illness, mental illness, drug or alcohol issues, dementia or […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Association ACT (ATODA) have today welcomed the release of a report on the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021 by the ACT Legislative Assembly. The Bill, aimed at decriminalising small amounts of certain drugs for personal use, will help […]
ACTCOSS today expressed its deep concern about the Federal Government’s proposed Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 and its potential impact on marginalised communities. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: “People of faith should – of course – be protected from discrimination. However, we are concerned that the ‘statements of belief’ provisions included in the draft bill […]
New research has shown that employment and housing for those leaving prison are key to preventing recidivism and a subsequent return to detention. The research, which focused on former detainees in the ACT, highlighted the importance of reducing barriers to employment for people leaving prison, so that they are better equipped to begin life after detention […]
ACTCOSS today has welcomed an announcement today by the Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury MLA that the ACT Government is introducing a rent relief scheme to respond to challenges facing low income renters during COVID-19. The Scheme will provide a $1000 payment for people in rental hardship. According to Government guidelines eligible tenants must pay more than […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has joined disability advocates and the Australian Council of Social Service in calling for an end to uncertainty about the future of the National Disability Insurance Scheme after comments by the Federal Minister were reported (paywall) in The Australian Newspaper today. According to the report, Federal Minister Reynolds […]
ACTCOSS has called for urgent action following the 2021 Rental Affordability Index which shows Canberra is the least affordable city for low-income renters in Australia. ACTCOSS A/g CEO, Craig Wallace said: “We already knew Canberra was unaffordable for people on low incomes, but this report, based on government held rental bond data, gives a stark […]