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Attorneys-General release secret report calling for age of criminal responsibility to be raised to 14 without exception

MEDIA RELEASE: The South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) has welcomed a range of measures captured in the state budget, but stresses that much more is needed over the new government’s term.

NEWS UPDATE: SACOSS has released its own policy platform and election report card in the lead-up to this state election. Other non-profit organisations have done likewise - if you are interested to see some of what has been released, have a look here for a few that we are aware of

MEDIA RELEASE: The South Australian Council of Social Service today released its pre-election report card on how well SA political parties are “covering the basics” in their election policy pitches.

MEDIA RELEASE: As ambulance ramping takes centre stage in the SA state election campaign, key community service groups are highlighting the problem of the cost of ambulance call-outs, with many people not calling an ambulance when they need one because of fear of the costs. 

MEDIA RELEASE: SACOSS is releasing a new report: Protecting the Basics: Insurance access for people on low incomes at risk from climate emergencies.

MEDIA RELEASE: SACOSS today held its “On the Couch” forum with Labor leader Peter Malinauskas and welcomed a number of his policy comments and commitments. The forum was held in the SACOSS offices and largely viewed online by leaders and staff from the social and community services sector right across the state.

MEDIA RELEASE: Public housing, digital inclusion & fixing water supply in regional and remote communities headline SACOSS’ “Cover the Basics” state election policy platform. SACOSS is today releasing its ‘Cover the Basics’ policy platform document, which outlines a series of policy prescriptions for SA political parties in the lead-up to the next SA state election and beyond it. The community service sector peak body’s list of calls reflects key areas of longstanding SACOSS advocacy, with some concrete measures for parties to commit to.

MEDIA RELEASE: The South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) welcomes the state government’s announcement today of funding to provide support and equipment for students to develop their digital skills.

OPINION PIECE: With the likelihood of climate disasters promising to increase, insurance becomes more expensive but more essential. Ross Womersley explores the issue.

OPINION PIECE: Investing in housing helps not only the low-income and those in rental stress but creates jobs to build an appreciating asset, writes Greg Ogle.

MEDIA RELEASE: SACOSS today released summary data on digital inclusion by regional area for South Australia, based on the recently-released 2021 Australian Digital Inclusion. The data shows that South Australia lags behind the national average for digital inclusion, and regional South Australia more so.

UPDATE: On 4 November, SACOSS hosted a forum to bring together a coalition of SA organisations who are supportive and working towards raising the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14 years in this state. Our advocacy on this critical area will continue over the coming months.

MEDIA RELEASE: This week is Anti-Poverty Week – held each year to help raise important conversations about poverty in our state and beyond it, and what we can do better. Just last week, the renter survey report released by the Anti-Poverty Network of South Australia showed that, of the survey respondents, 1 in 4 people said they had less than $14 a day ($100 a week) left after paying their rent. Alarmingly, 77% said the cost of rent often impacted their ability to pay their bills on time, or eat well, that they sometimes had to skip meals, or avoided fresh food.