14 February 2022

Cabinet decision summary for the week of 14 February 2022

Cabinet date: 16 February 2022

Response to petitions – Phillip Pool

Minute number: 21/853/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the Minister for Sport and Recreation provide the Government Response to Petition No’s 42-21 and 47-21 - Phillip Pool to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The provision of aquatic facilities supports the wellbeing of Canberrans, particularly in the health domain. While the closure of the swimming pool at Phillip Swimming and Ice Skating Centre for the 2021-22 summer season is unfortunate, the ACT is well catered for when it comes to the provision of public and private aquatic facilities. There are a number of government aquatic facilities located within a 10-kilometre radius of the Woden Town Centre including Stromlo Leisure Centre, Manuka Pool, Canberra Olympic Pool (in the city), Lakeside Leisure Centre (Greenway) and Active Leisure Centre (Wanniassa).

Response to petitions - Invest in a multi-purpose sports stadium in Woden

Minute number: 21/854/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the Minister for Sport and Recreation provide the Government Response to Petition No’s 23-21 and 48-21 – Invest in a multi-purpose sports stadium Woden to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The provision of additional indoor sport facilities as part of the delivery of new/upgraded schools in the Woden region will have a positive impact on health by providing publicly accessible facilities for residents of Woden (and surrounding regions) to undertake physical activity.

Government Submission to the Standing Committee on Economy and Gender and Economic Equality’s Inquiry into the Future of the Working Week

Minute number: 21/468/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government submission to the Standing Committee on Economy and Gender and Economic Equality’s Inquiry into the Future of the Working Week.

The Government Submission to the Inquiry will not have a direct impact on the wellbeing of the Canberra community. However, it will contribute to the development of the final report of the Inquiry, which will impact future decision-making. This could potentially have an impact on the wellbeing of some members of the community through significant changes to the way they spend their time.

University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra City Campus Draft Master Plan First Pass

Minute number: 21/748/CAB

Cabinet endorsed the draft University of New South Wales Canberra City Campus master plan as suitable for formal consideration by the National Capital Authority and agreed to COVID-19 related changes to time frames for implementation.

This submission is largely technical so does not, in itself, have a major wellbeing impact. However, the establishment of a UNSW Canberra City Campus has the potential to deliver significant wellbeing benefits for all Canberrans. The UNSW Canberra City Campus proposal seeks to establish a high-quality campus that will grow and diversify the ACT economy through increased student numbers, research investment and the creation of additional jobs. The new Campus is expected to generate 2,000 jobs; attract 6,000 local, national and international students to the Territory; and bring up to $3 billion in economic benefit for the ACT economy.

Government Response to Auditor-Generals’ Report on Digital Records Management

Minute number: 21/851/CAB

Cabinet agreed to table the Government’s Response to the ACT Auditor General Performance Audit: Digital Records Management REPORT NO. 11/2021 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The purpose of this proposal is to signal the Government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Auditor-General’s Report No 11/2021 – Digital Records Management. The audit recommendations are intended to improve the effectiveness of ACT Government agencies’ transition to the whole-of-government electronic document and records management systems (EDRMS). This supports the Wellbeing domain of Governance and Institutions. Recordkeeping and audit activities are fundamental to government accountability and transparency. A commitment to implementing recommendations made by the Auditor-General for improvements to records management can help to sustain and increase the community’s confidence that they have a government and other institutions that respect human rights, are responsible, reliable, have integrity, are open, and are fair.

COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests in ACT Education Settings

Minute number: 22/129/SEMC

Cabinet agreed to a four-week continuation of the provision of Rapid Antigen Tests in ACT Education settings.

A Wellbeing Impact Assessment was not prepared for this item given the time imperatives of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Omnibus – Update on Health National Partnership Agreements

Minute number: 21/764/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the Chief Minister sign the updated National Partnership Agreement on COVID-19 Response. Cabinet noted the extension to Australian Government funding for the following three programs: Public Dental Services for Adults, Essential Vaccines, and the Expansion of the BreastScreen Australia Program for 70–74-year-olds.

Australian Government funding under the National Partnership on COVID-19 Response will support the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine program, and the management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities. Canberrans will continue to be able to access public dental services for eligible adults; essential vaccines for children, adolescents and adults and BreastScreen services for women aged 70 to 74 years.

RSPCA ACT – preferred site for a new facility

Minute number: 21/802/CAB

Cabinet agreed to a preferred sited in Pialligo for development of the RSPCA ACT’s new facility.

The proposal is anticipated to have positive wellbeing impacts under the safety, environment and climate, housing and home, and access and connectivity wellbeing domains. These will include outcomes of increased housing opportunities for Canberrans, improved and increased capacity to manage animal welfare in the ACT and improved staff and volunteer work environments.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

• ACT Long Service Leave Authority Governing Board – Appointment (Minute number: 22/76/CAB)
• ACT Public Sector Workers Compensation Commissioner – Appointment (Minute number: 22/75/CAB)
• Work Health and Safety Council Appointments (Minute number: 22/111/CAB)

Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.