Media release

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 […]

Canberra’s high fuel prices are hitting low-income households hardest. This is a key finding from the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) analysis of cost of living data shared in a submission to the ACT Legislative Assembly Select Committee Inquiry into Fuel Pricing. Ahead of appearing as a witness to the inquiry, ACTCOSS Executive Director, […]

This is the last day of a record breaking hot summer. Extremely cold weather is only a few months away. Now is the time for the ACT Government to take further action to reduce human induced climate change, mitigate the impacts of a more unstable and changing climate, and set up a just transition to […]

The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) welcomes Minister Shane Rattenbury’s announcements today on a major justice reinvestment project for the ACT, Building Communities Not Prisons. “We are pleased that Minister Rattenbury has confirmed the ACT will invest in initiatives to improve responses to offending in the ACT justice system, rather than expand the Alexander […]