10 April 2023
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 10 April 2023
Cabinet date: 14 April 2023
Policy Approval for the Electoral and Road Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
Minute Number: 22/311/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the drafting of an Electoral and Road Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 which will amend the Electoral Act 1992, the Public Unleased Land Act 2013 and road transport legislation as required to address recommendations of the Inquiry into the 2020 ACT Election and Electoral Act and commitments under the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement for the 10th Legislative Assembly.
Under the primary wellbeing domain of Governance and Institutions, this Submission will impact the wellbeing of ACT voters, the ACT Electoral Commission, and ACT political parties, MLAs and election candidates through beneficial impacts that will limit the perception of undue influence, increase transparency, improve access to voting, increase public confidence and maintain the integrity of the ACT electoral system, and consequential impacts through the implementation phase related to changes in processes and reporting requirements and restrictions on foreign donors.
Courts and Tribunal Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 23/074/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the drafting of a Courts and Tribunal Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which will amend legislation in relation to the ACT’s courts and tribunal.
Under the primary wellbeing domain of access and connectivity, this Submission will impact the wellbeing of ACT courts and tribunal users, ACT judicial officeholders and ACT Courts and Tribunal through a range of amendments that will improve access to justice, create more equality among judicial officeholders, and improve various courts and tribunal processes.
Access Canberra Business and Regulatory Improvement Program - Progress Update Two
Minute Number: 23/160/CAB
Cabinet agreed further options for Access Canberra sustainable operations being explored.
The submission proposal will have a positive impact to the domain of Access and Connectivity and related domains of Time, Safety and Economy.
Standing Committee on Planning, Transport and City Services - Report No. 12 - Inquiry into the Planning Bill 2022 - Government Response including Government Amendments
Minute Number: 23/211/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the Standing Committee on Planning, Transport and City Services report on the inquiry into the Planning Bill 2022 and to the Government amendments to the Planning Bill 2022.
The proposal is anticipated to positively impact the wellbeing of the Canberra community through establishing a planning system that supports and enhances the Territory’s liveability and prosperity, and promotes the wellbeing of residents. The proposal will have a substantial amount of wellbeing impacts across the economy, environment and climate, and governance and institutions wellbeing domains.
Ministers Rattenbury, Vassarotti and Davidson departed the Cabinet meeting during the discussion of item 23/211 as per the Cabinet Handbook provisions to exempt Greens Ministers from Cabinet Solidarity.
Government Submission – Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety - Inquiry into Penalties for minor offences and vulnerable people
Minute Number: 23/323/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General provide the Government Submission to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety Inquiry into Minor Offences and Vulnerable People.
This decision supports the Governance and Institutions wellbeing domain by promoting transparency.
Dementia care in the ACT
Minute Number: 22/612/CAB
Cabinet agreed the ACT Government enable the establishment of a targeted aged facility and to releasing a block as part of the 2023-24 to 2027-28 Indicative Land Release Program for this core purpose.
The establishment of a targeted aged care facility will have a positive impact in the Health wellbeing domain.
Civil Law (Wrongs) Amendment Bill 2023 – Policy Approval
Minute Number: 23/072/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the proposed policy reforms to defamation law that will be contained in the Civil Law (Wrongs) Amendment Bill 2023, as developed by an interjurisdictional group working under the auspices of the Standing Council of Attorneys-General.
The proposed reforms will modernise defamation law for the online environment, including by clarifying the liability of digital intermediaries for defamatory material published via their service or platform by third-party users. The proposed reforms will also ensure that persons who disclose information to the police, the ACT Human Rights Commission or other prescribed statutory bodies are not liable in defamation law for doing so.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Appointment to the 2023-24 Ministerial Advisory Council on Women (Minute Number: 22/511/CAB)
- Suburban Land Agency Board Appointments (Minute Number: 23/230/CAB)
- Gambling and Racing Commission Governing Board – Member Re-appointment (Minute Number: 23/341/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.
Reasons for withholding access
Minute number: 23/065/CAB
Open Access - Reason for Withholding Access
Cabinet date: 16 April 2023
Government Response to Petition 34-22 - Tuggeranong Skatepark Redevelopment
Minute Number: 23/214/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Sport and Recreation provide the response to Petition 34-22 to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The response to the petition provides information about the review Transport Canberra and City Services undertake in relation to upgrades/redevelopment at the Tuggeranong Skatepark.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Director of Territory Records Appointments (Minute Number: 23/287/CAB)
- Secure Local Jobs Code Advisory Council Member Appointment (Minute Number: 23/325/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.