Media release
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed investments in housing and the community sector announced in today’s ACT Budget as the ACT emerges from the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. The Budget includes previously announced measures of $80m for improved maintenance of ACT public housing stock, $19m for the Growing and Renewing Public […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has outlined its priorities for tomorrow’s ACT 2021/22 Budget calling for significant investment in community services and social housing to support vulnerable Canberrans and boost the ACT economy. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: “We have seen a number of positive announcements in the lead up to tomorrow’s […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today expressed concern that the ACT Government’s action on climate change is leaving Canberra’s most vulnerable households behind. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: “The ACT Government’s announcement today of investments in climate action as part of next week’s 2021-22 ACT Budget fails to match its commitment to […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed today’s announcement by the ACT Government of $100 million to expand and improve social housing provision in the ACT. The announcement responds to ongoing calls by ACTCOSS, ACT Shelter and other community sector organisations for improved public housing maintenance, the acceleration of the Growing and Renewing […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has made a submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Housing Affordability and Supply in Australia calling for urgent action by the Federal Government, alongside state and territory governments, to address the housing crisis facing all Australian jurisdictions including the ACT. In its submission, ACTCOSS called for measures including: […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed substantial funding for Canberrans needing mental health, alcohol and other drug services and primary health care. The ACT packages announced by ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith and Minister for Mental Health, Emma Davidson includes $14 million from the ACT Government, delivered […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today expressed concern about the finding by the ACT Inspector of Correctional Services that a forced strip search of an Aboriginal female detainee did not comply with ACT human rights legislation. The finding in the Report of a review of a critical incident by the ACT Inspector of […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) said today that a $26 million funding package for the community sector announced by the ACT Government represented a major commitment to address needs highlighted by ACTCOSS and its members during the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. The funding announcement includes: $8.6m for specialist homelessness programs $4m to […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed a motion by Johnathan Davis MLA calling on the ACT Government to support the ACT’s community sector organisations. The motion, to be tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly tomorrow, will acknowledge the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 health and economic crisis on the most vulnerable […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has today welcomed measures to protect and support rental households impacted by COVID-19, including a 12-week moratorium on evictions for rental arrears. However, ACTCOSS is disappointed that broader protections, including a blanket eviction moratorium, have not been provided to prevent tenants experiencing vulnerable circumstances from being pushed into […]