Advocacy Publications

The ACTCOSS Gulanga Program, with feedback from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Sector Network (ATSIComSec Network), has provided a submission to the ACT Government on the future of the Yarramundi Cultural Centre. In this submission, we have listed suggestions about the facilities, design, use and management of the centre.

The Interactive Gambling Amendment (Prohibition on Credit Card Use) Bill 2020 would prevent online gambling service providers from accepting payments by credit card (either directly or indirectly), create a criminal offence and civil penalty provision for a person who accepts, facilitates or promotes credit card payments for interactive gambling services, and provides for the Australian […]

The Canberra Gambling Reform Alliance (CGRA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications Inquiry into the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Prohibition on Credit Card Use) Bill 2020. The Bill would prevent online gambling service providers from accepting payments by credit card (either directly or indirectly), create a […]

ACTCOSS appreciated work that Elections ACT undertook in engaging with the community sector in the lead up the 2020 election to ensure that the election process and requirements were accessible and understood. In this submission to the Inquiry into the 2020 ACT Election and the Electoral Act, ACTCOSS identified two main concerns: The scope of […]

In this ACTCOSS position statement, ACTCOSS outlines its views on commissioning and procurement, based on the collective expectations and expertise of the ACT community sector. The position paper includes: A suggested definition of commissioning in the ACT context A broad outline of key steps for an authentic commissioning process What commissioning is not An appendix […]

Through its Inquiry into Renewable Energy Innovation in the ACT, the Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity will investigate the opportunities and challenges to establish the ACT as a national hub for renewable energy innovation. In this submission, ACTCOSS argues that this must include social innovation. In addition to contributing to a low […]

In this letter, the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) urged Senator Duniam, Assistant Minister for Industry Development, and Rebecca Vassarotti MLA, ACT Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction, to support the inclusion of mandatory accessibility standards in Australia’s National Building Code at the upcoming meeting of Building Ministers. This reform would make a difference to hundreds of […]

The proposed Carers Recognition Bill 2021 aims to recognise, promote and value the role carers have within our community. The proposed Bill seeks to put in place measures that will require entities and organisations to consider and adapt business practices to support the care relationship that exists between carers and the people they care for. […]

This submission provides a summary of ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) responses to the 2020-21 ACT Budget announced on 9 February 2021. ACTCOSS believes that the delayed 2020-21 ACT Budget contained some welcome investments but fell short on the investments and vision required to ensure that Canberrans facing disadvantage are protected as the ACT […]

Regarding JobSeeker, ACTCOSS advocates for an increase of at least $25 a day on top of the old Newstart rate of $40 a day – to bring the JobSeeker rate to $65 a day. This increase would ensure a better, more affordable and more sustainable quality of life for many of the 38,000 ACT residents […]