Media release
The ACT Council of Social Service has welcomed the ACT Government’s announcement of a $61 million investment in public housing, including the construction of 60 public housing properties, taking the total number of additional public housing dwellings promised under the Strategy to 2060. The announcement also includes building upgrades and energy efficiency improvements to existing […]
Heat maps released today by Homelessness Australia and Everybody’s Home have revealed a shortfall of 3,000 social housing dwellings in the ACT, while almost 1,600 people in the ACT are homeless. These figures, released at the start of Homelessness Week 2020, highlight yet again the urgent need for the Federal and ACT governments to deliver […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the release of the report from the Inquiry into Building Quality in the ACT by the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, as well as work to improve certification, but has warned of consequences for low-income and vulnerable households unless a focus on improving building […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed yesterday’s announcement by the ACT Attorney General, Gordon Ramsay MLA, that the eviction moratorium for COVID-19 impacted residential tenants has been extended for three months to 22 October 2020. The Attorney General also responded to calls from ACTCOSS and other advocates to allow COVID-19 impacted households […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today joined organisations from the youth, legal, human rights and Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander sectors to call on the ACT Government to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 14 years old. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell, said: “ACTCOSS is […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today expressed dismay at the decision to reduce the JobSeeker supplement leaving thousands of Canberrans facing reductions in income. ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell, said: “Since the end of last year, the number of people on JobSeeker and Youth Allowance has more than doubled in the ACT. From […]
The Board and staff of the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) express our deep shock and sadness at the tragic passing of Sue Salthouse. Sue Salthouse made an extraordinary contribution to the whole Canberra community. Sue was an important national and Canberra disability activist, the long-term Chairperson of Women with Disabilities ACT, the 2015 […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed changes to the ACT’s transport network but cautioned that more needs to be done to support Canberrans facing transport disadvantage. Dr Emma Campbell, ACTCOSS CEO, said: “We are pleased that the Government has responded to community feedback with additional off-peak services and better connectivity and accessibility […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) joins hundreds of organisations and thousands of individuals who are calling on the Federal Government to Raise the Rate of the JobSeeker payment for good. The calls come as part of a National Day of Action today to demonstrate why we cannot turn back to the old Newstart […]
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today condemned the ACT Government’s inadequate consultation on new legislation that will simplify the ability to dispense with parental consent for children to be adopted. ACTCOSS and other undisclosed partners were given only two weeks to comment on this profound legislation – that can determine whether a child […]