The federal and state governments can take important steps to reduce the cost of energy for struggling Tasmanian households, writes Adrienne Picone.
Federal Budget 2022/23 — Responses from our Industry
See below for responses from: National Shelter Mental Health Council of Tasmania Youth Network of Tasmania National Disability Services National Shelter The 2022/23 federal budget continues to ignore the needs of low-income and vulnerable Australians and again fails to invest in social and affordable housing. We are concerned that the only focus in this budget is on measures that provide
Response to Draft National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children
TasCOSS welcomes the development of a National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children (2022-32). While TasCOSS and our members support various aspects of the Plan, in particular the principles underpinning it, we believe there are further priorities for action.
Tasmanian Government Departmental Changes
The Premier has announced a raft of Tasmanian Government departmental changes which will impact community service organisations funded through the Department of Communities Tasmania.
*Now Hiring!* FindHelpTAS Project Officer
TasCOSS is looking for a talented project officer to manage the FindHelpTAS website — the largest and most up-to-date online directory of community services in Tasmania — and pursue opportunities for improvement.
Criminal Code Amendment Bill 2022
TasCOSS believe additional support and resources are needed for organisations providing frontline training and education to raise awareness of issues relating to consent and violence against women. We believe ongoing funding for the continuation and expansion of these programs will be crucial to the success of any legislative reform in this area.
Tasmanian Future Gas Strategy — Discussion Paper
TasCOSS is calling for a Future Gas Strategy that phases out fossil gas and supports households in the transition to electrification that leaves nobody behind. This means ending new gas connections, improving household energy efficiency and tackling the barriers to renewable energy-powered homes faced by renters and Tasmanians on low incomes.
TasCOSS 2022/23 Budget Priorities Statement: Family/Sexual Violence Policy Development and Sector Coordination
TasCOSS have put in a funding bid for $834,000 over five years to establish a family/sexual violence policy development and sector coordination mechanism for Tasmania.
TasCOSS 2022/23 Budget Priorities Statement: Digital Consumer Reference Group
TasCOSS has proposed the creation of a Digital Consumer Reference Group to represent digital consumers and support the Tasmanian Government to deliver on its plan for digital inclusion.
Religious Discrimination Bill and Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill
TasCOSS strongly opposes both the Religious Discrimination Bill and the proposed changes to the Marriage Act and urges the Committee to reject them. Regarding the Bill, we do not believe any amendments could produce an acceptable piece of legislation and urge the Committee to recommend the Australian Government draft a conventional discrimination bill that simply adds the prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of religious affiliation, belief and practice to an existing federal discrimination law, without allowing discrimination in the name of religion.