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Read our latest media releases, catch up on anything you missed from the our radio program Small Change, and comment on issues and ideas in our blog. 

SACOSS: Labor’s plan on digital a winner

20 February 2018

The South Australian Council of Social Service applauds today’s announcement by Premier Jay Weatherill that a re-elected Labor Government would take steps to bridge the digital divide in South Australia. It is good news for those people struggling with internet access and costs, and vital for ensuring that everyone can participate in the digital economy and society.

South Australia has lagged behind Australia with the second lowest score on the Australian Digital Inclusion Index, and with some 17% of households not accessing the internet (above the national average of 15%)....

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Tough gig(abyte) for telecommunications consumers in regional SA

12 February 2018

FACT SHEETS

The following fact sheets provide information on telecommunication costs for specific SA electorates within the regions that they sit.
 
All of Regional SA
            Fact Sheet

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Electric shock: South Australians spend more on telecommunications than on their power bills

12 February 2018

The South Australian Council of Social Service has today released its latest Cost of Living Update which shows that South Australians spend more on telecommunications than on electricity - and that like electricity costs, the cost of telecommunications hit those on the lowest incomes hardest. 
 
The SACOSS report, which is based on the official ABS Household Expenditure Survey data, shows that while telecommunications prices have been decreasing (unlike electricity!), telecommunications expenditure has increased with higher demand as government, businesses and culture...

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Laptops and internet are essential parts of education, yet not everyone can afford this technology

30 January 2018

As children across South Australia return to school, many low income families will be struggling with the costs involved – even in our "free" public schools. 

The ASG organisation, which is the largest provider of education scholarship plans in Australia, provides a handy education costs calculator and based on its own survey data. It estimates that getting back to school in Adelaide could cost on average $2,856 per primary school child per year and $4,865 for a secondary school student in public schools. It is obviously a lot more in faith-based and private...

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The health of South Australians: it’s a sick joke!

22 January 2018

Our 3-point plan for a health turnaround through prevention and promotion

With South Australians sicker than ever, our public health consortium has launched a 3-point plan to restore our position as a leader in community health, and to boost our longevity, health outcomes and quality of life.

In the lead-up to the South Australian election in March, the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) has joined forces with the Public Health Association Australia (PHAA), the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA), Anti-Poverty Network SA and the People’s...

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Extreme heat prompts calls for bill relief

18 January 2018
As South Australia braces for two days of extreme heat, SACOSS (the South Australian Council of Social Service) is today calling on all parties to commit to urgent reform of the energy concession to help with the high cost of electricity and so that households can afford to pay the cost of running air-conditioners when needed.
 
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Parties must relieve pressure on SA's struggling renters

9 January 2018

With South Australian renters continuing to grapple with high utility costs, a good move would be to reverse a legislative change which hit tenants with water supply charges, writes Ross Womersley, CEO of the South Australian Council of Social Service

Cost of living issues are front and centre in the lead-up to the March state election. 

Yesterday the Government began sending out letters to 169,000 South Australian households inviting them to take up a deal they have negotiated with Origin Energy offering an 18% discount on supply and usage, plus no exit fee.

We...

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SA Electricity Price Decreases Beat National Average

18 December 2017

The South Australian Council of Social Service today welcomed news from the Australian Energy Market Commission that residential electricity prices are likely to decrease over the next two years.
 
The price decreases are due to falling wholesale costs driven by:

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9 ways politicians can ease cost of living pressures: SACOSS releases utilities affordability policy for state election

12 December 2017

The South Australian Council of Social Service today released its telecommunications, energy and water policy for the SA State Election in March 2018. The peak welfare group is asking all parties to commit to 9 policies which will help those struggling most with cost of living pressures.

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Gov reneging on promise to fix our broken child protection system

22 November 2017

An alliance of child protection advocates has criticised the government for failing to follow-through on its promise to put through a Bill to complement legislation passed in the wake of the Nyland Royal Commission.

Disappointingly, the government has prioritised the passage of the Children’s Protection Law Reform (Transitional Arrangements and Related Amendments) Bill 2017 during next week’s Parliamentary sittings rather than the new Prevention and Early Intervention for the Development and Wellbeing of Children and Young People Bill 2017. 

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