4 April 2022
Cabinet decision summaries for the week of 4 April 2022
Cabinet date: 4 April 2022
Statement – Report on Sport and Active Recreation
Minute Number: 21/431/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the Minister for Sport and Recreation tabling a Statement in response to the Resolution of the Assembly 22 April 2021 – Sport and Active Recreation in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Government continues to prioritise an active and healthy Canberra and investments that increase health and economic outcomes for all Canberrans. The Statement responding to the resolution details some key projects being undertaken by Government in sport and recreation.
Light Rail – Woden Express Services
Minute Number: 21/472/CAB
Cabinet considered the implementation of light rail services and agreed to a preferred basis for progressing planning for Light Rail Stage 2.
The decision will positively impact the wellbeing of the ACT community and visitors to the ACT within the domain of access and connectivity. The current provision of reliable light rail services incorporates a ‘turn up and go’ timetable that makes accessing public transport easy and meets current and future patronage demands.
Wrongful convictions – reforms to the right to appeal and right to compensation
Minute Number: 21/793/CAB
Cabinet agreed to release a discussion paper ‘Wrongful conviction: Reforms to the Right to Appeal and Right to Compensation’ for public consultation.
The release of a discussion paper will improve engagement with the ACT community, as all Canberrans will be provided with an opportunity to have their say on reform proposals that will impact the ACT justice system. The reform proposals and the development of future legislative reforms will likely have a human rights impact, as the right to appeal is likely to support the right to a fair trial by providing a fresh avenue for appeal in the event that fresh and compelling evidence becomes available.
Government Position on Crimes (Consent) Amendment Bill 2022 (Paterson PMB)
Minute Number: 22/131/CAB
Cabinet agreed to support the Crimes (Consent) Amendment Bill 2022 (the Bill). The Bill proposes to amend the Crimes Act 1900 to introduce an affirmative and communicative model of consent.
The Government Position on the Crimes (Consent) Amendment Bill 2022 impacts the safety wellbeing domain and the governance and institutions wellbeing domain. The Government Position, in supporting the Private Member’s Bill which introduces an affirmative and communicative model of consent, will help the community to feel safe and be safe. The Government Position supports trust in government by demonstrating that the ACT Government carefully assesses the need for legislative reform.
Government Submission – Inquiry into Petition 32-21 (No Rights Without Remedy)
Minute Number: 22/138/CAB
Cabinet agreed a Government Submission be provided to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety’s Inquiry into Petition 32-21 (No Rights Without Remedy).
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Business Partnership Policy - ACT Government Major Projects
Minute Number: 22/143/CAB
Cabinet agreed to a policy framework for addressing business disruption associated with the delivery of major infrastructure projects.
The development of this Policy will deliver positive wellbeing impacts in the Economy domain through partnering with nearby businesses to minimise disruption during construction phases as much as possible.
Ministerial Statement: Canberra Hospital Expansion Project
Minute Number: 22/184/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the Minister for Health making a statement in the ACT Legislative Assembly with an update on the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project.
The tabling of the Ministerial Statement will have a positive wellbeing impact on the domain of Health through providing an update on the developments of the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project.
Government Response to the Auditor-General’s Report on the Campbell Primary School Modernisation Project Procurement
Minute Number: 22/192/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government’s Response to the ACT Auditor-General’s Report No 13/2021 – Campbell Primary School Modernisation Project Procurement be tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The purpose of this proposal is to signal the Government’s commitment to responding and addressing the recommendations of the Auditor-General’s Report No 13/2021 – Campbell Primary School Modernisation Project Procurement, Report No 13/2021. The audit recommendations are intended to improve the effectiveness of procurement processes.
Government Response to Standing Committee on Public Accounts - Inquiry into the Auditor-General’s Report No 1 of 2020 – Shared Services Delivery of HR and Finance Services
Minute Number: 22/214/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the proposed Government Response to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Inquiry into the Auditor-General’s Report No 1 of 2020: Shared Services Delivery of HR and Finance Services.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Business Support Grants – Potential Overpayments and Recovery Options
Minute Number: 22/229/CAB
Cabinet agreed to an approach to manage potential overpayments and recovery options associated with the COVID- 19 Business Support Grants program.
The submission impacts a small subset of Business Support Grant applicants, limited only to those that have potentially been overpaid through the program. Recovery of overpayments caused by fraud or when the business is found to not have experienced hardship constitutes responsible administration of public funds.
Ministerial Statement - Heritage in Canberra - Looking back to shape our future
Minute Number: 22/246/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Heritage present the Ministerial Statement on Heritage - looking back to shape our future 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 – Discrimination Law Reform Listening Report
Minute Number: 22/247/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Human Rights present a Ministerial Statement about the Discrimination Law Reform Listening Report in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The proposal will have a positive impact on the identity and belonging of all Canberrans by making it clear that the Government is committed to reviewing the Discrimination Act and is listening to the views of the community about how discrimination law can be improved in the ACT.
Executive Motion about World Health Day - 7 April 2022
Minute Number: 22/249/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Health present an Executive Motion to the ACT Legislative Assembly about the ACT Government’s actions on climate change, health and wellbeing on World Health Day.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Ministerial Statement - Bilateral Agreement on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
Minute Number: 22/250/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health present the Ministerial Statement on the Bilateral Schedule on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Bilateral Schedule 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. The Bilateral Schedule will have significant wellbeing impacts across the ACT community, particularly in the domain of Health, through improving mental health, reducing psychological distress and improving access to mental health supports. The longer term indirect impacts are expected to flow across multiple other domains, in particular education and lifelong learning, housing, safety, social connection and identity and belonging.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Appointment of Official Visitor for the purposes of the Children and Young People Act 2008 (Minute Number: 21/829/CAB)
- ACT Youth Advisory Council (Minute Number: 22/108/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.