26 September 2022
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 26 September 2022
Cabinet date: 28 September 2022
West Belconnen (Ginninderry) Joint Venture – Stormwater Harvesting Project
Minute Number: 21/352/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the establishment of a utility to manage and operate stormwater harvesting for the Ginninderry development
The proposal will have a positive impact on the Ginninderry development open spaces and for residents by irrigating key areas throughout the development will encourage more people to purchase land at Ginninderry but also create areas for residents to enjoy outdoor recreation in well maintain parks and ovals – anecdotally improving physical and mental wellbeing.
Sexual Assault Reform Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
Minute Number: 21/837/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the introduction of the Sexual Assault Reform Legislation Amendment Bill 2022, which will make legislative reforms to better align laws with current community standards concerning the experience of parties in sexual offence proceedings, including by implementing some of the recommendations of the Listen. Take Action to Prevent, Believe and Heal Report.
Policy approval was agreed by Cabinet on 1 August 2022 (Sexual Assault Reform Bill 2022 - Policy Approval, Minute Number: 21/836/CAB).
The Sexual Assault Reform Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 will have wellbeing impacts across the safety, and governance and institutions wellbeing domains. The reforms will have major impacts on community safety, especially for victim-survivors of sexual offences.
Our Booris Our Way Implementation Oversight Committee Appointment and Governance Arrangements
Minute Number: 22/180/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the exemption of the Our Booris Our Way Implementation Oversight Committee appointments from the Governance Principles – Appointments, Boards and Committees in the ACT until the Our Booris Our Way Implementation Oversight Committee Final Report is due in 2025.
Cabinet agreement will have a positive impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans, particularly children and families involved in the system and those working in the child protection sector in the ACT. In particular, the impact will be in the trust in government, trust in other institutions and feeling that voice and perspective matter indicators.
Endorsement of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032
Minute Number: 22/223/CAB
Cabinet agreed for the ACT Government to endorse the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
This submission will have a positive impact on wellbeing in the safety domain by supporting the national response to domestic, family and sexual violence; communicating to the community that the ACT Government takes this issue seriously; and highlighting the importance of dedicated actions led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Electricity Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
Minute Number: 22/415/CAB
Cabinet agreed to present the Electricity safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 in the ACT Legislative Assembly. The Bill contains amendments to the Electricity Safety Act 1971 and the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 that provide the Minister a power to exempt regulated utilities from the operation of the Electricity Safety Act 1971. This provides the mechanism to remove duplication of regulation regarding electrical works on the light rail network.
Policy approval was agreed by Cabinet on 1 August 2022 (Electricity Safety (Light Rail) Amendment Bill 2022, Minute Number: 22/413/CAB).
Cabinet noted that the main wellbeing impact of this submission is on safety. Removing regulatory duplication will allow regulation of future stages of the light rail project to proceed under the Light Rail Regulated Utility (Electrical) Network Code 2021 which establishes a clear process for any non-compliances to be rectified and ensures that electrical supervisors and certifiers adequately oversee the safety of all electrical work.
Report No. 9 of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts – Inquiry into the ACT Auditor-General’s Report 7/2021 Procurement Exemptions and Value for Money – Government Response
Minute Number: 22/488/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the Government Response to Report No. 9 of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts – Inquiry into the ACT Auditor-General’s Report 7/2021: Procurement Exemptions and Value for Money.
The purpose of this submission is to demonstrate the Government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts’ Report No.9 – Inquiry into ACT Auditor-General’s Report 7/2021 Procurement Exemptions and Value for Money. The recommendations seek to strengthen procurement processes and risk controls and implementation action will advance transparent, streamlined and supported government procurement processes. This supports the Wellbeing domain of Governance and Institutions.
The ACT Government Response to Auditor General’s Report on ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme
Minute Number: 22/535/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the Government response to the Auditor General’s Report on ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme being tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Government response to the recommendations on the ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme will have wellbeing impacts in the access and connectivity domain for the people with disability. This response provides relevant data on subsidy caps and information about ongoing measures undertaken to improve the operation of the Scheme.
ACT Infrastructure Plan Update
Minute Number: 22/554/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the process for updating the 2019 ACT Infrastructure Plan in tranches over a two-year period including that the Sports, Entertainment and Arts sector be the first update.
The updated Infrastructure Plan will have a positive impact on the ACT economy by ensuring the planned infrastructure developments are appropriate for the current circumstances.
Indexation Adjustments for JACS Community Organisations
Minute Number: 22/599/CAB
Cabinet agreed to provide Justice and Community Safety Directorate funded Community-sector organisations with indexation, consistent with other community-sector organisations funded by the ACT government.
This submission relates to the Access and Connectivity domain and will strengthen and support the viability of non-profit community sector organisations to provide appropriate supports at the right time, in the right place and at the right intensity to the community.
Gaming Machine (Heat and Smoke Refuges) Amendment Bill 2022
Minute Number: 22/32/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the drafting of a Gaming Machine (Heat and Smoke) Amendment Bill 2022 which makes amendments to the Gaming Machine Act 2004 and Gaming Machine Regulation 2004 to support clubs to become heat and smoke refuges for local communities during a heat or smoke event.
The main wellbeing impact of this submission is a positive safety impact. The primary wellbeing outcome it is seeking to change is an increase to the safety of the ACT community during an extreme heat or smoke event in the ACT.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Appointment of the ACT Chief Psychiatrist (Minute Number: 22/459/CAB)
- Tree Advisory Panel Appointments 2022 (Minute Number: 22/497/CAB)
- Ministerial Advisory Council for Veterans and their Families 2022-2024: Subsequent Appointment (Minute Number: 22/522/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.