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.

Please be advised, the due date for written submissions to the Department of Treasury and Finance relating to the 2025/26 Tasmanian State Budget has been confirmed as 5pm, Sunday 22 December 2024.

The Tech4Kids TAS program, delivered by WorkVentures with the support of the Tasmanian Community Fund and TasCOSS, is taking action to address the digital divide in Tasmania by providing up to 1,000 laptops, internet plans, coaching and tech support to students in need across Tasmania.

Leaving poverty unchecked is a choice of government, let’s ask why, writes Adrienne Picone.

In the midst of a worsening affordability crisis, we have been delivered a Budget which prioritises investing in projects over investing in people. A Budget that prioritises $5.1 billion of investment in infrastructure, ahead of investments that support people into long term employment, provide safe and affordable homes for Tasmanians on low incomes, and reduce energy bills over the long term, is the wrong Budget and the wrong priority.