21 March 2022
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 21 March 2022
Cabinet date: 21 March 2022
Revised National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program
Minute number: 22/113/CAB
Cabinet agreed to sign the updated schedule to the National Partnership on Pest and Disease Preparedness following receipt of correspondence from the Commonwealth.
The ACT Government is signing an updated schedule to the National Partnership on Pest and Disease Preparedness. The changes to the schedule do not present any direct wellbeing impacts for this submission as it relates to activities operating outside of the ACT.
Response to Assembly Resolution – Gungahlin Cinema Development
Minute number: 22/45/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the Government response to the Assembly resolution from 1 December 202, Gungahlin Cinema Development, and to the Minister for Planning and Land Management tabling the response in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Development of the Gungahlin Cinema will add to the range of entertainment options available in the Town Centre.
Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 No. 2 - Government Responses to Standing Committee on Health and Community Wellbeing Inquiry Report and Scrutiny Report 12
Minute number: 22/158/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the Government responses to the ACT Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Health and Wellbeing Inquiry into the Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 (No. 2) Report and the Justice and Community Safety (Legislative Scrutiny Role) Scrutiny Report 12 comments relating to the Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 (No. 2). Cabinet also agreed to Government amendments to the Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 (No. 2).
The Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 (No. 2) (the Bill) seeks to establish a new regulatory framework to manage the ongoing risks presented by COVID-19 outside of a public health emergency. The Bill was proactively referred to the Standing Committee on Health and Community Wellbeing to undertake an inquiry in recognition of the complex matters which were being addressed and to ensure that there was opportunity to review the proposed legislation and provide feedback for Government consideration.
Ministerial statement in response to report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts’ Inquiry into the Auditor-General’s Report No. 6 of 2020: Transfer of Worker’s Compensation Arrangements from Comcare
Minute number: 22/196/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety present a Ministerial Statement in response to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts’ inquiry into the Auditor-General’s Report 6/2020: Transfer of Workers’ Compensation Arrangements from Comcare.
Implementation of the recommendation from the Public Accounts Committee Report 4 of 2022 is demonstrative of the ACT Public Sector Workers Compensation Fund’s sound financial position and governance. Effective operation of the Fund is integral for the delivery of medical and rehabilitation support to injured and ill public servants.
Executive motion on the invasion of Ukraine
Minute number: 22/208/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Chief Minister present an Executive Motion on the invasion of Ukraine in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Ministerial Statement – Canberra Switched On - ACT’s Economic Development Priorities 2022-2025
Minute number: 22/209/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Economic Development present a Ministerial Statement on Canberra Switched On – ACT’S Economic Development Priorities 2022-2025 to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Economic Development Priorities 2022-2025 will have a positive impact primarily on the economy domain; however, all wellbeing domains are likely to be impacted as the missions aim to create a collaborative environment to enable Canberra to become an even more innovative, sustainable and inclusive city.
Government Response to Select Committee on the COVID-19 2021 Pandemic Response - Report—Inquiry into the COVID-19 2021 Pandemic Response
Minute number: 21/849/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the Government Response to Select Committee on the COVID-19 2021 Pandemic Response Report.
The Government Response is expected to have impacts on the Governance and Institutions, Health, Economy, and Access and Connectivity wellbeing domains. The implementation of agreed recommendations will contribute to the improvement of Government processes and the ACT’s ongoing response to COVID-19; encompassing the public health response, business and community economic supports, and work to improve understanding and access to a range of government and support services.
Ministerial Statement - Progress Update on the Implementation of the ACT Children and Young People’s Commitment 2015-2025
Minute number: 21/815/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Families and Community Services present the Ministerial Statement for the Progress Update on the Implementation of the ACT Children and Young People’s Commitment 2015-2025 (the Statement) to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Children and Young People reporting strategy informs those working with the ACT community on the wellbeing outcomes for children and young people aged 0-25. This is achieved through an Annual Statement on progress made against the ACT Children and Young People’s Commitment 2015-2025 (the Commitment) in the ACT Legislative Assembly by the Minister for Families and Community Services, and the release of the CYP wellbeing dashboard. Publicly releasing CYP information provides the opportunity to reflect on the roles we can all play to improve the healthy development and life choices of children and young people in the ACT.
Ministerial Statement: The Family Violence Safety Action Pilot - holding perpetrators of domestic and family violence to account
Minute number: 22/213/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence present the Ministerial Statement: The Family Violence Safety Action Pilot - holding perpetrators of domestic and family violence to account in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Ministerial Statement: The Family Violence Safety Action Pilot - holding perpetrators of domestic and family violence to account has impact in the wellbeing domain of Safety. It has an immediate impact on the safety of people in high-risk situations of domestic and family violence within the ACT.
Variation 369 Living Infrastructure in Residential Zones – Ministerial Statement
Minute number: 22/216/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Planning and Land Management present a Ministerial Statement on Variation 369 Living Infrastructure in Residential Zones in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Government Submission to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Inquiry into Auditor General’s Report 4/2020 – Residential Land Supply and Release
Minute number: 22/179/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the government submission to the Public Accounts Inquiry into the ACT Auditor-Generals Report No. 4 of 2020: Residential Land Supply and Release.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Ministerial Statement on the update to Assembly Resolution of 8 October 2021 - Mental health Workforce Strategy
Minute number: 22/54/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health present the Ministerial Statement on the update to Assembly Resolution of 8 October 2021 – Mental Health Workforce Strategy to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The ACT Mental Health Workforce Strategy will positively impact the Health wellbeing domain, in particular mental health.
Ministerial Statement - Our public health workforce
Minute number: 22/207/CAB
Cabinet agreed that the Minister for Health present a Ministerial Statement Our public health workforce to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Mental Health Bilateral Agreement
Minute number: 22/217/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the Minister for Mental Health signing the final Mental Health Bilateral Agreement.
The Mental Health Bilateral Agreement sets out a shared commitment of the ACT and Commonwealth governments in relation to funding a number of new or expanded initiatives to address areas of unmet mental health needs and service system gaps in the ACT, including significant co-funding from the Commonwealth Government. Signing the Bilateral Agreement will have significant wellbeing impacts across the ACT community, particularly in the domain of Health, through improving access to mental health supports to meet individual needs, when and where people need them most. Flow on impacts are also expected across multiple other domains such as the justice system; education system; health system; child protection system; and community services system.
Government Response to Report 4 of the Standing Committee’s Inquiry into the Electoral Amendment Bill 2021
Minute number: 21/846/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Response to Report 4 of the Inquiry into the Electoral Amendment Bill 2021.
The impact of the Government Response to the Standing Committee Inquiry is limited, given the Government Response provides further commentary on the issues raised by the Bill. If the Bill were to pass the ACT Legislative Assembly, the likely impact of the Bill would align with the ‘Governance and Institutions’ wellbeing domain, in that it would allow more Canberrans to be part of government election processes. The Bill would also align with the ‘Identity and belonging’ domain which would allow young people to participate on equal terms with adults.
Ministerial Statement - Active Travel priorities for the coming year
Minute number: 22/168/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Transport and City Services deliver a Ministerial Statement on Active Travel Priorities to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
2021-22 Budget Review Ministerial Statement
Minute number: 22/211/CAB
Cabinet agreed that the Treasurer make a Ministerial Statement on the 2021-22 Budget Review in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Ministerial Statement on Mental Health in the ACT
Minute number: 22/210/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health deliver the Ministerial Statement on Mental Health in the ACT to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The services and initiatives outlined in the Ministerial Statement highlight the ACT Government’s priorities in the provision of mental health services, especially in the areas of mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention. Through these services and initiatives people will experience better mental health and develop the tools and skills that promote recovery and maintain their wellbeing.
Government Position on Private Member’s Bill – Legislation (Legislative Assembly Committees) Amendment Bill 2022
Minute number: 22/84/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the Government position on Legislation (ACT Legislative Assembly Committees) Amendment Bill 2022.
To the extent that the amendments proposed by the Legislation (Legislative Assembly Committees) Amendment Bill 2022 make legislation more consistent and clearer, this makes ACT laws more accessible to the general population.
Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021
Minute number: 21/821/CAB
Cabinet commenced consideration on the Government position on the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021 and agreed further work was required prior to finalising the Government position.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Ministerial Statement - Supporting our Courts to deliver justice for the Territory
Minute Number: 22/212/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General present a Ministerial Statement Supporting our Courts to deliver justice for the Territory to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021
Minute Number: 21/821/CAB
Cabinet commenced consideration on the Government position on the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Use) Amendment Bill 2021 and agreed further work was required prior to finalising the Government position.
The amended Bill is expected to impact wellbeing in the domains of Health’ and ‘Governance and Institutions’, particularly on trust in government and institutions, including restorative practice and human rights. Increased diversions from the criminal justice system can be anticipated to reduce costs and use of administrative resources for police and courts. It is expected that the impacts of the proposal will be sustained impacts, as they will be supported by legislative amendments.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Appointment of Special Magistrates (Minute number: 22/155/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.
Cabinet date: 30 March 2022
ACT Annual Impact Statement 2021 and Dashboard for the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028 and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap 2020
Minute Number: 21/466/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the public release of the ACT Impact Statement 2021 and Dashboard for the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement 2019-2028 and National Agreement on Closing the Gap 2020 following tabling in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Due to its holistic impact across all wellbeing domains, the Aboriginal reporting strategy aligns with intent of the Personal Wellbeing Index at the heart of all 12 wellbeing domains, which provides a measure of the overall wellbeing of the ACT community over time.