12 June 2023
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 12 June 2023
Cabinet date: 14 June 2023
Courts Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 23/075/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the presentation of the Courts Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 to the Legislative Assembly in the June 2023 sittings.
Under the primary wellbeing domain of access and connectivity, this Submission will impact the wellbeing of ACT Courts users, ACT judicial officeholders and ACT Courts through a range of amendments that will improve access to justice, create more equality among judicial officeholders, and improve various Courts processes.
Standing Committee on Public Accounts – Report 14 – Inquiry into Auditor General’s performance reports January 2022-June 2022 – Government Response
Minute Number: 23/296/CAB
Cabinet agreed the proposed Government Response to the ACT Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report 14 - Inquiry into Auditor General’s performance report January 2022-June 2022 be tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
ACT Infrastructure Plan Update – Publication of First Updates
Minute Number: 23/311/CAB
Cabinet agreed the release of the first updates to the ACT Infrastructure Plan, comprising a Setting the Scene section; the Entertainment, Arts and Sports sector; and the Health sector.
The provision of infrastructure is a significant enabler of wellbeing and is vital to enable the sustainable growth of Canberra’s communities. The first updates to the ACT Infrastructure Plan will positively impact the wellbeing of the Canberra community and economy by ensuring that the Government’s infrastructure priorities remain appropriate to our community and sector needs and are communicated clearly.
Government Response to Standing Committee Reports on the Inquiry into Annual and Financial Reports 2021-2022 (JACS and PAC)
Minute Number: 23/313/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Responses to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts – Report 13 and Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety – Report 15 – Inquiry into Annual and Financial Reports 2021-22 be tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Government Response – Embedded Utilities Networks – Assembly Resolution of 18 October 2022
Minute Number: 23/340/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the tabling of the Review of Embedded Networks in the ACT.
This proposal affects the economic welfare and climate resilience of individuals and families living in an apartment building where an embedded electricity network exists. Residents in an embedded network may not have access to the same benefits of market competition and discounted energy prices that residents in “on-market” energy plans enjoy. Nor do they have the same opportunities to transfer between energy plans or energy retailers as “on-market” residents do. However, there is the potential for embedded networks to be associated with cost savings if retailers pass on lower network costs to residents. Embedded networks add complexities that will directly affect the development of EV charging infrastructure in apartment buildings. Other benefits of embedded networks could be realised from improved onsite solar utilisation and integration of Distributed Energy Resources such as solar, batteries and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Changes are needed to building codes and development approval processes to make renewable energy more accessible to residents in new apartment buildings. Onsite solutions including energy storage solutions can be designed to directly benefit apartment residents. This is a major (sustained and direct) impact as it has a constant and enduring effect on residents within an embedded network as electricity (and gas) are utilities that are used daily.
Government Response to Assembly Resolution 7 April 2022 – Co-operatives and Alternative Business Models
Minute Number: 23/361/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Business and Better Regulation table a paper in the ACT Legislative Assembly – Government Response to Assembly Resolution 7 April 2022 – Co-operatives and Alternative Business Models.
The Government programs and services in support of businesses – including co-operatives – described in the Government Response have positive impacts on the Economy wellbeing domain.
Planning (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023 – Agreement to Introduce
Minute Number: 23/415/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Planning and Land Management present the Planning (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023 to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
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.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Operational Policy
Minute Number: 23/477/CAB
Cabinet agreed to endorse and publicly release the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Operational Policy.
Establishing an operational policy for EV charging infrastructure will facilitate the growth of the ACT public EV charging network, encourage the uptake of electric vehicles in the community and support a reduction in the Territory’s overall transport emissions.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointment:
- Appointments to the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) (Minute Number: 23/417/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.
Reasons for withholding access
Minute number: 22/485/CAB