This ACTCOSS annual report highlights our achievements for 2020-21, including major policy advocacy and capability activities.
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Factsheet: Poverty and COVID-19 in the ACT
This factsheet brings together a range of important data and information on poverty and inequality in the ACT.
Response: Updated Commissioning Roadmap 2021-2023 (v2.3)
ACTCOSS has responded to the ACT Government’s updated Commissioning Roadmap. There are some positives including identification of priority sub-sectors, clarity of procurement pathways and more information of contract flexibility and extensions during the commissioning processes. However, we remain concerned that there is more work needed on identifying outcomes, an explanation of cross-directorate engagement, and the importance of appropriate budgets to ensure timely and informed engagement from the community sector.
ACT Budget Bulletin 2021-22
This bulletin provides a summary of ACTCOSS responses to the 2021-22 ACT Budget announced on 13 October 2021.
Submission: Parliamentary Inquiry: Housing affordability and supply in Australia
In ACTCOSS's submission to the Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into housing affordability and supply in Australia, we urged the federal government to invest in public housing and renew its focus on community housing, and provided a number of othe
Submission: Raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility: Discussion paper response
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) made a submission responding to the ACT Government's discussion paper on raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
2021 ACT Cost of Living Report
The 2021 ACT Cost of Living Report tracks changes in the cost of living for low-income households in the Australian Capital Territory over the past 12 months and five years.
Response: Sexual Consent Law Reform
ACTCOSS provided feedback on Dr Marisa Paterson's exposure draft of the Crimes (Consent) Amendment Bill 2021, which introduces a new definition of consent based on free and voluntary agreement. We support the Bill yet request further clarity and consultation regarding potential perverse outcomes on marginalised people.
Submission: Inquiry and review of current health assessment programs for children and young people
In ACTCOSS's submission to the inquiry and review of current health assessment programs in the ACT for children and young people, we highlight the need for the ACT Government to commit to a real increase in spending on health services.
Submission: ACTCOSS ACT Budget Priorities 2021-22
In ACTCOSS’s submission we call for the 2021-22 ACT Budget to work towards a fair and just Canberra through: A sustainable recovery from the social, health and economic shock of COVID-19; Adequate funding for community sector organisations; Addressing the ACT’s ongoing housing crisis; Reducing inequality and supporting increased numbers of Canberrans receiving income support; and Improving outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our submission outlines asks across 15 priority areas supported by evidence and data.
Submission: Inquiry into the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021
ACTCOSS strongly supports passing the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021. Moving toward decriminalising a range of drugs for personal use will have enormous positive impact, especially for some of the most disadvantaged and marginalised people in the ACT and broader community.
Update, Issue 93, June 2021: Celebrating and supporting the ACT's community sector workforce
This edition of the ACTCOSS Update journal celebrates the contribution of the community sector workforce and looks at ways we can ensure its ongoing success. It highlights ways that we can protect our mental health and wellbeing and provides examples of good practice in our organisations. It also shares work being done across the community sector to ensure that we build a sustainable, professionalised and respected workforce.
Submission: Proposed Reforms to Expand Police Use of Body Worn Cameras in Private Contexts
ACTCOSS is concerned about the expansion of police use of body worn cameras into private contexts without consent and without a clear framework for securing footage that is more likely to contain images of victims and other vulnerable people.
Submission: Inquiry into the management of ACT school infrastructure
This submission calls on the ACT Government to prioritise adequate and high-quality school infrastructure in all areas of the ACT, including and especially for pockets of disadvantage in the Territory.
Submission by ACTCOSS: Interactive Gambling Amendment (Prohibition on Credit Card Use) Bill 2020
This Bill creates an opportunity to reduce gambling harm resulting from online gambling. ACTCOSS urges the committee and all members and senators of the Australia parliament to support this important Bill.
Submission: Inquiry into the 2020 ACT Election and the Electoral Act
In this submission, ACTCOSS identified concerns around authorising materials under the ACT Electoral Act 1992 and its amendments, and the apparent failure to fully include Alexander Maconochie Centre detainees in the democratic process.
Submission by CGRA: Interactive Gambling Amendment (Prohibition on Credit Card Use) Bill 2020
The Canberra Gambling Reform Alliance (CGRA) urges the committee and all members and senators of the Australia parliament to support the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Prohibition on Credit Card Use) Bill 2020, as the Bill creates an opportunity to reduce gambling harm resulting from online gambling.
Submission: Inquiry into Renewable Energy Innovation in the ACT
In this submission, ACTCOSS argues that the Inquiry into Renewable Energy Innovation in the ACT must include social innovation.
Position statement: Commissioning and Procurement
In this position statement, ACTCOSS outlines its views on commissioning and procurement, based on the collective expectations and expertise of the ACT community sector.