Advocacy Publications

ACTCOSS made a submission to the draft ACT Preventative Health Action Plan 2023-25. This submission to the consultation highlights ACTCOSS’ key concerns regarding the necessary inclusion of the social and environmental determinants of health in the Preventative Health Action Plan 2023-25. Our feedback highlights the importance of addressing the underlying causes as well as negative […]

ACTCOSS made a submission to the draft ACT Disability Health Strategy 2023-2033. This is an important milestone as an inclusive initiative that demonstrates the ACT’s commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes for people with disability. ACTCOSS, as a community sector peak body, wholeheartedly supports the Strategy’s ambitious goals and guiding principles. To further enhance the impact […]

The 2023 ACT Cost of Living Report highlights the dual impact of the highest increase in living costs in over 20 years and the impact of these costs on women. Over the past 12 months the ACT community sector has seen an increase in demand for social services alongside an increase in poverty, disadvantage and […]

ACTCOSS welcomed the opportunity to provide feedback to the public consultation on the Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023. This Bill raises the minimum age of criminal responsibility in a staged manner from 10 years of age to 14 years. Over the next two years, the government intends to design and deliver […]

ACTCOSS made a submission to the ACT Government’s draft Design Guide for the draft ACT Active Travel Plan. ACTCOSS supports the implementation of the Active Travel Plan and Design Guide. Full and proper implementation of active travel infrastructure could be a key mechanism for reducing the cost of living in Canberra and improving transport equity. […]

ACTCOSS has made a submission to Evoenergy’s regulatory proposal and draft Tariff Structure Statement for the 2024-29 regulatory period. Overall, Evoenergy’s consultation met expectations and was well done with some areas for continual improvement. ACTCOSS suggests that Evoenergy’s capital expenditure for the 2024-29 regulatory period should balance expenditure and capacity constraints with climate action, reliability […]

ACTCOSS made a submission to the Third Action Plan of the ACT Women’s Plan 2016-26 focusing on collaboration with the community sector to ensure services are meeting the needs of vulnerable women and gender diverse people in the ACT. Our submission covers recommendations across health and wellbeing, safety and inclusion, leadership and workforce participation, housing […]

A report released by social service organisations found that while around three million households receive some form of ongoing financial assistance for their energy bills, the poor design and implementation of the assistance means too many people still can’t afford the energy they need. The report found that providing energy concessions and annual rebates as […]

ACTCOSS’ Submission into the Inquiry into Grants Management, was informed by members, with key concerns related to the short term, ad hoc nature of many grants which limit sustainable activities. These short term, smaller grants also require significant administrative effort for funding amounts that are not proportionate to the application effort particularly for smaller, mainly […]

ACTCOSS has made a submission to Evoenergy’s Draft Electricity Network Plan 2024-29. The primary focus of the submission was to represent the interests of low-income and other at-risk energy consumers in the ACT. Feedback in particular was given on how Evoenergy can have adequate consultation with low-income and at-risk consumers to ensure their views are […]