On Tuesday 25 March 2025, the Treasurer, the Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, handed down the latest Federal Budget. Read TasCOSS’s reaction and responses from across the community services industry.

This Federal Budget lacks the long-term vision and reform necessary to address cost of living pressures being felt by the Tasmanian community.

TasCOSS today appeared before the Joint Select Committee on Energy Matters to speak about actions the Government can take to reduce instances of energy poverty and to ensure all Tasmanians have access to a reliable, safe and affordable household energy supply.

TasCOSS endorses Anglicare’s evidence-informed recommendations and calls on the Government to provide details of the costs underpinning their decision and clearly set out how they are going to meet their policy objective to reduce gambling harm.

Human rights underpin all of TasCOSS’s advocacy around poverty, inequality and exclusion, and as such we were pleased to see the motion made by the Hon Meg Webb MLC in relation to the need for stronger legislative provisions to promote and protect human rights pass in the Legislative Council earlier this month.

TasCOSS welcomes the Federal Government’s investment of an additional $500 million to retrofit another 50,000 social housing properties with energy efficient, electric and solar upgrades and calls on the Tasmanian Government to match its investment.