18 April 2022
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 18 April 2022
Cabinet date: 20 April 2022
The Next Stage of Reform: Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy 2022 – 2030 and Progress update on Assembly Resolution 11 May 2021 – Care and Protection Orders
Minute Number: 21/248/CAB
Cabinet endorsed the Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy 2022-2030 and associated funding to commence to this Strategy. Cabinet also agreed that the Minister for Families and Community Services present a Ministerial Statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly on the Strategy and providing an update on the Assembly Resolution of 11 May 2021 regarding Care and protection Orders.
The Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy 2022-2030 (Next Steps) will have sustained, major impacts on vulnerable children, young people, and families in the ACT, across the Safety, Health, Education and life-long learning, Identity and belonging and Social connection wellbeing domains. The primary impacts of Next Steps are in the Safety domain, with additional impacts in the health, Education and life-long learning, Identity and belonging and Social connection domains.
Age-Friendly City Plan - Second Progress Report
Minute Number: 21/814/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Veterans and Seniors table the Age-Friendly City Plan – Second Progress Report and deliver a Ministerial Statement on the Report in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Age- Friendly City Plan – Second Progress Report contributes to the wellbeing of older Canberrans, primarily through the Identity and Belonging domain and has cross-cutting impacts across all Wellbeing Domains. The Plan primarily impacts older Canberrans and may have secondary impacts for carers (of older people).
Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Amendment Bill 2022 – Agreement to Introduce
Minute Number: 21/835/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the presentation of the Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Amendment Bill 2022 that makes amendments to extend the operation of counter terrorism laws and to improve human rights safeguards in the Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Act 2006.
Policy Approval was agreed by Cabinet on 23 February 2022 (Minute Number: 21/834/CAB Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Amendment Bill 2022).
The Terrorism (Extraordinary Temporary Powers) Amendment Bill 2022 will have wellbeing impacts in the safety domain in relation to ensuring the safety of the Territory by providing strong counter-terrorism laws. The Bill will also have moderate impacts on governance and institutions in the Territory through amendments to strengthen human rights protections.
Update on Government Response to 9th Assembly Standing Committee on Health, Ageing and Community Services Report 10 - Report on Inquiry into Maternity Services in the ACT (Rec 2)
Minute Number: 21/848/CAB
Cabinet agreed to publicly release Maternity in Focus: The ACT Public Maternity System Plan 2022‑2032 and associated Maternity in Focus: First Action Plan 2022-2025.
Maternity in Focus: The ACT Public Maternity System Plan 2022-2032 will positively impact all people interacting with public maternity services in the ACT; including infants, mothers and birthing parents, families and the clinical and non-clinical staff who strive for the best outcomes for those they care for. This will be achieved through increasing workforce capacity, capability, and confidence, diversifying services to meet the needs of all service users, and increasing consumer and stakeholder participation in planning, design, and delivery of services. By creating a system that reflects the needs and expectations of women, pregnant people, and the workforce, we can improve health and wellbeing outcomes and satisfaction. This work supports the wellbeing domain of Health.
Bimberi Headline Indicators Report
Minute Number: 22/104/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Assistant Minister for Families and Community Services table the Bimberi Headline Indicators Report in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Bimberi provides safe care and custody to children and young people (10 to 21 years) remanded in custody or sentenced to a period of detention by the ACT Childrens or Supreme Court. The Bimberi Headline Indicators Report demonstrates Bimberi’s ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of children and young people and staff in Bimberi.
Government Response to the recommendations from the Our Booris, Our Way Review – Six-monthly Update and A Step Up for Our Kids Snapshot Report
Minute Number: 22/105/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Families and Community Services: provide a Statement on the progress of the Government Response to the recommendations from the Our Booris, Our Way Review and the A Step Up for Our Kids Out of Home Care Strategy; and table the Our Booris, Our Way six-monthly update and Snapshot Reports in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The intention of the A Step Up for Our Kids Out of Home Care Strategy is to improve outcomes for children and young people in the care of the Director-General, Community Services Directorate by providing more flexible, child focussed services and to reduce demand for out of home care places. Implementation of the Our Booris Our Way recommendations focus on reducing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the child protection system, improving the experience of children and young people whilst in care, and increasing pathways for restoration to parents, kin and culture.
Response to Petition 33-21 Auslan Rights (Tabled 8 February 2022)
Minute Number: 22/144/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Disability provide the response to Petition 33-21 - Auslan Rights to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Availability of services and information in Auslan in the ACT impacts people who use Auslan. The knowledge of, interest in, and capacity to use Auslan is also likely to increase the ability of more Canberrans to use at least some Auslan.
Skilled to Succeed: Skills and workforce agenda for the ACT
Minute Number: 22/165/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the release of Skilled to Succeed: Skills and Workforce Agenda for the ACT.
Skilled to Succeed has the potential to positively impact the education and lifelong learning of the broader ACT community. Its core principals emphasise inclusion and accessibility, focus on lifelong learning, and multiple pathways to education and work. It is expected to cater for learners at different stages of their career journeys. Employers and industry will also be supported, with enhanced collaboration and consultation to ensure policy decisions are informed and successful in achieving desired outcomes.
Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs – Service Integration
Minute Number: 22/178/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health present a Ministerial Statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly in response to the Resolution of the Assembly of 2 December 2021 regarding the integration of mental health and alcohol and other drug services in the ACT.
The development of responses to co-occurring mental illness and alcohol and other drug misuse will have a sustained and direct impact on the wellbeing of people in the ACT in relation to mental and physical health. It will also have an indirect positive impact across multiple domains such as the safety, housing and home, education and life-long learning, living standards, social connection and identify and belonging.
Ministerial Statement on the Work Plan of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing
Minute Number: 22/226/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Seniors and Veterans present the Ministerial Statement on the work plan of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing (MACA) and table the summary of the MACA work plan to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Ministerial Statement on and tabling of the summary of the MACA work plan contributes to the wellbeing of older Canberrans, primarily through the Governance and Institutions wellbeing domain.
Government Submission to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts - Inquiry into Auditor-General's Report 8/2021 - Canberra Light Rail Stage 2A: Economic Analysis
Minute Number: 22/231/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the Government submission to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Inquiry into the Auditor-General’s Report 8/2021 – Canberra Light Rail Stage 2A: Economic Analysis.
The proposal has a positive impact in the wellbeing domain of Governance and Institutions, as it signals the Government’s commitment to openness and transparency in delivering the Canberra light rail network and reiterates the Government’s commitment to implementing the recommendation of the Auditor-General to implement a benefits realisation plan for light rail stage 2A.
Comeback Submission: COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration – Current COVID-19 Situation and Potential Impacts of Revoking the Declaration [Changes to Test, Trace, Isolate and Quarantine Requirements]
Minute Number: 22/260-2/SEMC
Cabinet agreed the option for provision of rapid antigen tests following changes to management of close (household) contacts.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Senior Practitioner Amendment Bill 2022
Minute Number: 21/324/CAB
Cabinet agreed to drafting of the Senior Practitioner Amendment Bill 2022 to amend the Senior Practitioner Act 2018.
The amendments to the Senior Practitioner Amendment Bill 2022 will positively impact wellbeing in relation to safety and Human Rights of people who may be subject to restrictive practices.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Animal Welfare Advisory Committee Appointments 2022 (Minute Number: 22/198/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.
Reasons for withholding access
Minute number: 22/204/CAB