TasCOSS was pleased to join with members and supporters of the community services industry in Burnie last week to pay tribute to the many invaluable contributions of TasCOSS’s outgoing Board President, Alex McKenzie, who has been in the role since 2019.

A Tasmanian photographic exhibition honouring the essential work of over 28,000 workers and 46,900 (formal) volunteers in the community services industry was launched at the Moonah Arts Centre today.

The worsening cost of living crisis means Christmas won’t be a time of frivolity for many Tasmanians, with a growing number finding themselves in a fight for survival, battling the effects of interest rate rises, increasing rental costs and higher bills for groceries, energy, fuel and health care.

TasCOSS welcomes the announcement from the Minister for Education, Children and Youth that the Government will convene a Community Consultative Committee, which will bring together Government and community service organisations to develop an innovative, therapeutic and nation-leading youth justice system.

TasCOSS is deeply disappointed at Labor’s decision to join the Government in walking away from meaningful political donations reform, turning their back on key amendments which would have strengthened the Electoral Disclosure and Funding Bill and improved transparency and accountability in politics.

TasCOSS, as part of a coalition of justice and social service organisations including Prisoners’ Legal Service Tasmania and 54 reasons, call on the Premier to demonstrate his stated commitment to the safety of our children by closing Ashley Youth Detention Centre as a matter of urgency and work with the community service industry around progressing alternative arrangements.

TasCOSS applauds the advocacy of all Tasmanians who gave evidence at the recent Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings, particularly those who bravely shared their own experiences of abuse, trauma and neglect. We also recognise and commend the tireless dedication of all community organisations who have supported Tasmanians through this process. 

A coalition of justice and social service organisations have united to urge the Tasmanian Government to immediately release all children detained at Ashley Youth Detention Centre to prevent further harm to their safety and wellbeing.