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15 May 2023

Cabinet decision summary for the week of 15 May 2023

Cabinet date: 15 May 2023

Government position on Period Products and Facilities (Access) Bill

Minute Number: 22/723/CAB

Cabinet agreed to a government position on the Private Member’s Bill, the Period Products and Facilities (Access) Bill 2022.

As this Bill is not a government bill, the Wellbeing Impact Assessment is based on the Bill as presented by the private member and considers the government response. Overall, the Bill aims reduce and prevent period poverty in the ACT by providing free access to period products for people experiencing period poverty in the ACT and providing public information about menstruation and menstrual hygiene. The primary wellbeing domains identified are health, education, and living standards.

2023-24 Better Infrastructure Fund

Minute Number: 23/261/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the interim Better Infrastructure Fund program allocations.

Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.

ACT Government submission – Productivity Commission inquiry into the early childhood education and care sector

Minute Number: 23/327/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the ACT Government submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into the early childhood education and care sector.

The main wellbeing impact of this submission is education and life-long learning.

National Pollutant Inventory Memorandum of Understanding for 2022-23 to 2024-25

Minute Number: 23/338/CAB

Cabinet agreed the ACT to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) relating to the operation of the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) for 2022-23 to 2024-25 at the agency level.

It is anticipated that this submission will have positive wellbeing impacts on the Environment and Climate and Access and Connectivity domains.

Ministerial Statement – ACT Corrective Services - Update

Minute Number: 23/362/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Corrective Services deliver a Ministerial Statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly titled ‘ACT Corrective Services Update’.

The ACTCS Update will aid transparency to the Legislative Assembly and the citizens of the ACT. It covers inquiry topics raised through Questions on Notice, Committee recommendations, Legislative Assembly enquiries to the Minister for Corrections and general media coverage. A number of the initiatives and improvements being undertaken at ACTCS aim to improve cultural safety, engagement and transparency and address systemic discrimination by strengthening approaches that support diversity and the use of cultural lenses.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Australian Capital Territory (Territory) and Australian Sports Commission (ASC) for the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Campus Review

Minute Number: 23/372/CAB

Cabinet agreed to endorse a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ACT Government and the Australian Sports Commission for the Australian Institute Sports Precinct Review.

The activities to be undertaken under the MoU will strengthen inter-government engagement regarding investigation of options to redevelop or replace the Canberra Stadium within the AIS Campus, activation of the AIS Campus and opportunities for community access to facilities.

ACT Government Submission on promoting the significance of Australia’s National Capital

Minute Number: 23/390/CAB

Cabinet agreed the ACT Government Submission to the Parliament of Australia’s Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories, in response to their inquiry into fostering and promoting the significance of Australia’s national capital.

Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.

ACT Government submission to the Australian Energy Regulator on the public consultation on the Evoenergy electricity network 2024-2029 proposal

Minute Number: 23/423/CAB

Cabinet agreed the ACT Government submission to the Australian Energy Regulator on the Evoenergy electricity network 2024-2029 proposal.

Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.

Update on Bargaining for Administrative and Related Classifications Enterprise Agreement – EDU Specific Matters

Minute Number: 23/420/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Education Directorate provide a final offer to the AEU and CPSU regarding the Administrative and Related Classifications Enterprise Agreement – EDU Specific Matters.

Bargaining for the new agreement will have major wellbeing impacts on the community in access to quality public education and in education outcomes.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointment:

  • Government Procurement Board Non-Public Employee Members Appointment (Minute Number: 23/419/CAB)

Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.

Cabinet date: 21 May 2023

2023 Safer Families Ministerial Statement

Minute Number: 23/171/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence table the annual Safer Families Ministerial Statement. The 2023 Safer Families Ministerial Statement is the seventh such statement.

Delivering the 2023 Safer Families Ministerial Statement supports the safety wellbeing domain, signalling to the ACT community that domestic and family violence is a serious issue which the ACT Government is committed to addressing and preventing, ensuring support is available for victim-survivors. Delivering the statement will also support the governance and institutions wellbeing domain by fulfilling the government’s commitment to delivering the statement.

Government Response to the Standing Committee on Education and Community Inclusion’s Report 7 Inquiry into access to services and information in Auslan

Minute Number: 23/245/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the Standing Committee on Education and Community Inclusion’s Report 7 Inquiry into access to services and information in Auslan.

The main wellbeing impact for this decision is access and connectivity. The Government Response supports better access to services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Canberrans, opening avenues to improved social and life outcomes.

Chief Minister’s Statement on public accessibility of government information

Minute Number: 23/262/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Chief Minister’s Statement on Public Accessibility of Government Information.

The Chief Minister’s statement requires ACT Government agencies to make progressive improvements in the accessibility of government information. These actions have the potential to have a positive wellbeing impact on citizens’ engagement with government, and support productivity and innovation through increased use and reuse of government information and data. The transparent nature of publicly accessible information can increase the levels of trust in ACT Government policies and decisions.

Government Response – Mental Health Funding under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) – Assembly Resolution of 8 February 2023

Minute Number: 23/273/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health: continue working with the Australian Government Minister for Health and Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to ensure access to mental health services that prioritises underserviced and vulnerable populations in the ACT are appropriately funded; and deliver a Ministerial Statement in the ACT Legislative Assembly in response to the Assembly Resolution of 8 February 2023.

The Ministerial Statement and correspondence to the Australian Government will impact people affected by mental ill-health, their families, and the general community. There are diverse population groups within the ACT that are at higher risk of poor mental health. The cabinet submission addresses the ongoing work to address the needs of these at-risk cohorts and ensure they have access to mental health services when they need them.

Response to Petition 009-23 Housing ACT property, Swinger Hill

Minute Number: 23/365/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government response to Petition 009-23 Housing ACT property, Swinger Hill be provided to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly for tabling.

Maintaining the supply of public/low-cost housing options in well-located areas will have a positive impact on Canberra’s most vulnerable, specifically people that are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in crisis.

Ministerial Statement – Reconciliation Week 2023

Minute Number: 23/401/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs deliver a Ministerial Statement on Reconciliation Week 2023 to the ACT Legislative. Assembly.

Reconciliation Week 2023 focusses on the theme ‘Be a Voice for Generations’, which aligns with the 2023 upcoming referendum on a Voice to Parliament. Reconciliation Week is a time to reflect on past injustices to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the effects of colonisation and how we, as a society can move forward. With the focus this year being on the referendum, this will have an impact on all aspect of the community but can negatively impact the First Nations Community as discussions around their human rights is debated.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointment:

  • 2023 Appointment to the Territory LGBTIQ+ Ministerial Advisory Council (general members) (Minute Number: 23/378/CAB)

Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.