The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) today welcomed a COVID-19 committee report that supports measures called for by ACTCOSS.
The interim report of the ACT Legislative Assembly’s Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic Response was today released, with recommendations which include:
- Adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect and reassure clients and staff of disability service providers, aged care homes and similar service providers
- Financial mechanisms to assist community housing providers in expanding their property holdings to provide accommodation for people eligible for community housing
- A framework for the repayment of rental arrears accrued during the COVID-19 eviction moratorium
- A plan to prohibit a lessor or grantor from seeking termination solely on the basis of rent arrears accrued during the period covered by the Residential Tenancies (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Declaration 2020; and
- The right of fixed-term tenants to terminate tenancies early during COVID-19.
ACTCOSS CEO, Dr Emma Campbell said: “ACTCOSS welcomed the establishment of the COVID-19 Select Committee, chaired by the Opposition Leader, Alistair Coe MLA.
“The Committee has had the opportunity to hear from many ACT community sector organisations involved in the COVID-19 response including ACTCOSS. We are pleased that some of the concerns raised by the community sector have been reflected in the interim report’s recommendations.
“The ACT Government has already implemented a number of recommendations including flexibility for service providers to move service provision online and grants to support the delivery of services through alternative means.
“We call on the ACT Government to consider the report and ensure that other recommendations aimed at supporting Canberrans made vulnerable by COVID-19 are swiftly enacted,” Dr Campbell concluded.
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ACTCOSS advocates for social justice in the ACT and represents not-for-profit community organisations.
