Media release

Joint media release, ACTCOSS and the Tenants’ Union ACT (TUACT). The Tenants’ Union ACT (TUACT) and the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed improved protections for renters in the ACT being introduced into the Assembly by ACT Attorney General Gordon Ramsay MLA. Key changes will increase the notice period from 4 weeks to […]

Joint media release, ACTCOSS and the Youth Coalition of the ACT. The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) and the Youth Coalition of the ACT have welcomed the release of the Standing Committee on Education, Employment and Youth Affairs’ report on the Management and Minimisation of Bullying and Violence in ACT Schools. In May 2019, […]

Barriers to health care access by people with a disability are the focus of a new report being released today by the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) called Imagining Better – Reflections on access, choice and control in ACT health services for people with disability. The Executive Director of ACTCOSS, Susan Helyar, said, “The […]

Joint statement from the Councils of Social Service (COSS) Network. Formally acknowledging and reconciling the wrongs perpetrated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people—and their long legacy of ongoing trauma—must be a national priority. It’s crucial the Federal Government works genuinely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations to get the process and […]

There are currently over 10,000 people in the ACT living on Newstart, Youth Allowance, and other related payments. ACTCOSS is calling on everyone in the ACT to stand up for people living on these completely inadequate allowances by taking part in the national Week of Action to Raise the Rate from 15-21 July. ACT Council […]

(See also our 2019-20 ACT Budget Snapshot) The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has welcomed the release of the 2019-20 Budget by ACT Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr MLA and its alignment with a number of key priorities outlined in the ACTCOSS Budget submission. ACTCOSS’ submission to the 2019-20 ACT Budget said we […]

A report released today by the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has found that a significant number of Canberrans living in low-income households are experiencing food stress. Food stress is when a low-income household spends 30% or more of its income on food. The report also found that the supply of rescued food to […]

With only four days to go until polling day, a report from the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) Federal Election Forum has asked candidates to focus on local issues outside the issues raised in the so-called ‘Canberra bubble’. Using a combination of electorate-specific discussion prompts, priorities identified by community sector workers, leaders and other […]

In the lead up to announcement of the ACT 2019-2020 Budget the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has released research highlighting the need to ease cost of living pressures for low-income Canberra households. ACTCOSS’ 2019 ACT Cost of Living Report found that Canberra’s overall CPI has continued to increase above the national rate over […]

The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) has joined other Councils of Social Service in expressing disappointment that the Federal Budget has failed to reduce severe poverty and close the worst gaps in essential services, while welcoming some investments and supports. According to ACTCOSS Director Susan Helyar, “Tonight’s Budget promises the first surplus in 12 […]