16 October 2023
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 16 October 2023
Cabinet date: 18 October 2023
Parentage (Surrogacy) Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 23/064/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Human Rights present the Parentage (Surrogacy) Amendment Bill 2023 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Parentage (Surrogacy Amendment Bill 2023 will contribute to positive impacts across both the identity and belonging wellbeing and governance and institutions domains for children born by surrogacy, surrogates and intended parents.
Final Report – Statutory Review – Offences Against Vulnerable People
Minute Number: 23/249/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General table the report of the Statutory Review into Offences Against Vulnerable People in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Offences Against Vulnerable People support the wellbeing outcome of Safety by affirming the right of older and other vulnerable Canberrans to live without abuse or neglect.
Infrastructure Plan Update – Education Sector
Minute Number: 23/310/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Education sector update to the ACT Infrastructure Plan.
The provision of infrastructure is a significant enabler of wellbeing and is vital to enable the sustainable growth of Canberra’s communities. The sector 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. The updated Education sector includes projects which will have positive direct and indirect impacts to the domains of economy and lifelong education and learning.
Government Response to Inquiry into Housing and Rental affordability report
Minute Number: 23/644/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the Standing Committee on Economy and Gender and Economic Equality – Inquiry into Housing and Rental affordability, being tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Government Response to the Report of the Inquiry into housing and rental affordability will have wellbeing impacts in the housing and home domain. Housing and rental affordability are significant issues of concern and commentary in the ACT and is at the forefront of the Government’s agenda. The Government’s Response agrees to three recommendations and notes one recommendation.
Government Response – Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety- Report No. 19 – Inquiry into Electoral and Road Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 23/676/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety’s Report No. 19, Inquiry into Electoral and Road Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 and to Government amendments being moved to the Electoral and Road Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.
Under the primary wellbeing domain of Governance and Institutions, the Government Response supports trust in government by demonstrating the ACT government values public discussion about how to ensure the ACT electoral system is fair, transparent and accessible for all electors. The Government amendments will ensure improved transparency regarding political donations in the ACT.
ACT contribution to the Australia’s Disability Strategy – Supported Employment Plan
Minute Number: 23/750/CAB
Cabinet agreed the ACT input into draft Supported Employment Plan be provided to the Commonwealth Department of Social Services.
The Supported Employment Plan will support three wellbeing domains: Economy, Education and Lifelong Learning, and Identity and belonging by demonstrating the ACT Government is committed to supporting people with high support needs to have greater informed choice and control, real options for employment and a range of support to meet their employment goals.
Human Rights (Healthy Environment) Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 23/059/CAB
Cabinet agreed to delayed commencement of the Human Rights (Healthy Environment) Amendment Bill 2023 by up to six months.
Enshrining the right to a healthy environment will contribute to the environment and climate wellbeing domain by providing express protection for a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for all and ensuring environmental and climate considerations feature in public authority functions and decision-making.
Agreement to Introduce was agreed by Cabinet on 10 October 2023 (Minute Number: 23/059/CAB Human Rights (Healthy Environment) Amendment Bill 2023)
Workplace Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 – Policy Approval
Minute Number: 23/051/CAB
Cabinet agreed the drafting of amendments to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to enhance health and safety outcomes in the ACT.
The amendments will positively impact wellbeing in relation to the safety domain for all workers in the ACT. Strengthening WHS laws in the Territory has a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Canberra workers. Penalties are applied to offences under the ACT’s WHS laws and act as a deterrent against non-compliant behaviours. The amendments will increase penalty amounts that have not been adjusted since 2011.
ACT Government Submission to proposed exposure draft of Commonwealth Digital Identity legislation
Minute Number: 23/743/CAB
Cabinet agreed the ACT Government Submission to the Australian Government’s proposed exposure draft of Digital ID legislation comprising of the Digital ID Bill 2023, Digital ID Rules 2024 and Digital ID Accreditation Rules 2024
Cabinet noted the Australian Government’s legislation will have positive Wellbeing impacts for ACT residents in the Access and Connectivity, Governance and Institutions domains.
Parliamentary and Governing Agreement Status Report No. 6 - Public Report 3 - September 2023
Minute Number: 23/013/CAB
Cabinet agreed the drafting and public release of the third Parliamentary and Governing Agreement Annual Statement.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
2023-24 Budget Review – Resourcing for Voluntary Assisted Dying Model – Pre-Implementation Planning
Minute Number: 23/706/CAB
Cabinet agreed to establish a Voluntary Assisted Dying Implementation Team in the ACT Health Directorate.
The establishment of a Voluntary Assisted Dying Implementation Team will have a positive impact in the ‘governance and institutions’ and ‘health’ domains. It will enable Canberrans to have access to end-of-life choices that align with their rights, values and preferences.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointment:
- ACT Supreme Court Acting Judge Appointments (Minute Number: 23/749/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.
Reasons for withholding access
Minute number: 23/657/CAB
Open Access - Reason for Withholding Access
Cabinet date: 22 October 2023
ACT Government Fifth Annual Progress Report Responding to the Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
Minute Number: 23/557/CAB
Cabinet agreed the public release of the ACT Government Fifth Annual Progress Report on progress in implementing the Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The policy measures reported on in the Fifth Annual Progress Report address the Wellbeing domains of Safety and Governance and Institutions, particularly for children and young people. Release of the report addresses the Governance and Institutions domain.
Disability Justice Strategy Fourth Annual Progress Report
Minute Number: 23/577/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General deliver a Ministerial Statement on and table the Disability Justice Strategy Fourth Annual Progress Report in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Disability Justice Strategy Fourth Annual Progress Report will have wellbeing impacts for people with disability, their families, carers and the community across the governance and institutions; access and connectivity; identity and belonging; and safety domains.
ACT Government Response to Assembly Resolution 21 March 2023 - Menstruation and menopause supports - Ministerial Statement
Minute Number: 23/578/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Women present the Ministerial Statement on Menstruation and menopause supports in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Ministerial Statement on Menstruation and menopause supports addresses the ACT Government’s commitment to achieving gender equality in the ACT through addressing barriers faced by women and girls, and people who menstruate, as a result of menstruation and menopause. The Wellbeing Domain most significantly addressed by the implementation of the related supports will be Health.
Ministerial Statement – ACT Position Statement on Eating Disorders – 2023 Update
Minute Number: 23/629/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health present the Ministerial Statement for the 2023 Update on the ACT Government Position Statement on Eating Disorders in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
It is anticipated that the impact of providing the 2023 update on the ACT Government Position Statement on Eating Disorders will be to provide the ACT community with assurance of the improved access to services for eating disorders, help raise awareness of eating disorders and reduce stigma associated to promote prevention and intervention for people experiencing an eating disorder or disordered eating.
Response to Assembly Resolution – Gungahlin Cinema Development
Minute Number: 23/680/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Planning and Land Management table the Government Response to the Assembly Resolution – Gungahlin Cinema Development in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
ACT Protective Security Framework Endorsement
Minute Number: 23/182/CAB
Cabinet agreed the new ACT Protective Security Framework (ACT PSF) for the ACT
Government. The ACT PSF replaces the ACT Protective Security Policy Framework 2017
and will be implemented from March 2024.
The new ACT Protective Security Framework relates to the Governance and institutions domain. It will ensure the integrity, reliability and confidentiality of ACT Government information, and protect people, information and assets from security risks that could erode trust and confidence in government service delivery.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointment:
- ACT Work Health and Safety Council Member Appointments 2023 (Minute Number: 23/708/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.