20 November 2023
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 20 November 2023
Cabinet date: 22 November 2023
Domestic Violence Agencies (Information Sharing) Amendment Bill 2023 – Agreement to Introduce
Minute Number: 21/326/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence present the Domestic Violence Agencies (Information Sharing) Amendment Bill 2023 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Domestic Violence Agencies (Information Sharing) Amendment Bill 2023 will positively impact safety by facilitating collaborative responses to domestic and family violence to improve the safety of victim-survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
Liquor Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 23/085/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General present the Liquor Amendment Bill 2023 to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Safety is the primary wellbeing domain addressed by the Bill. It will support Canberrans to socialise and partake in Canberra’s local entertainment scene confidently and safely. It will also help improve community satisfaction with police services by facilitating police to do their job more effectively.
Road Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 – Agreement to Introduce
Minute Number: 23/264/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Transport and City Services introduce the Road Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Road Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 will address unsafe drug and alcohol driving behaviours through amendment of existing road transport legislation. The proposed Bill builds upon the penalty reforms introduced on 7 June 2023 that addressed dangerous driving.
Property Developers Bill 2023 - Agreement to Introduce
Minute Number: 23/592/CAB
Cabinet agreed the introduction of the Property Developers Bill 2023 that will establish a regulatory framework requiring certain property developers to be licensed to undertake residential building development in the ACT and to be held accountable for work undertaken as part of that development activity.
The introduction of an ACT property developers licensing and regulatory scheme will have impacts across the economy, safety and health wellbeing domains through improved accountability, better protections for consumers, and reduce the stress that some consumers may suffer by providing them with greater information about developments and
the developers behind them.
Housing Strategy Year 5 Report Card
Minute Number: 23/703/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development publish, and deliver a Ministerial Statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly on the ACT Housing Strategy Year 5 Report Card.
The Wellbeing impacts of the ACT Housing Strategy are wide ranging in terms of environmental, human and social service concerns across the ACT. A number of actions under the Strategy aim to improve housing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly those actions under Goal 2: Reducing Homelessness and Goal 3: Growing and renewing social housing.
Government Response – Short-term rental accommodation in the ACT – Assembly Resolution 30 March 2023
Minute Number: 23/705/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the Short-term rental accommodation in the ACT Assembly Resolution of 30 March 2023 be tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The wellbeing impact of this submission is positive, as it recognises the social and economic benefits of the short-term rental accommodation sector and does not anticipate any significant benefits from regulating the STRA sector.
Final City Plan and City Centre Urban Design Guide
Minute Number: 23/713/CAB
Cabinet agreed the final City Plan as the overarching strategic planning document to guide development in the City Centre and noted the City Centre Urban Design Guide.
The final City Plan and City Centre Urban Design Guide will have wide ranging positive impacts across several wellbeing domains including Access and Connectivity, Economy, Identity and Belonging, and Safety and Social Connection.
Vote on Amendments to Australian Consumer Law and Submission to Commonwealth on ACL Reform
Minute Number: 23/780/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Consumer Affairs, or his proxy, voting on behalf of the ACT at the 2023 Consumer Ministers’ Network Meeting on two proposals to amend the Australian Consumer Law and to the ACT Government providing a submission to the Commonwealth Government in relation to its Consultation Regulation Impact Statement on Protecting consumers from unfair trading practices.
This submission will have positive impacts on the domain of Governance and Institutions,
with a secondary positive impact on the domain of Economy.
Growing and Renewing Public Housing Program – Future Direction
Minute Number: 23/782/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development deliver a Ministerial Statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly providing an update on the Growing and Renewing Public Housing Program – Future Direction.
The Statement will have a positive impact in the ‘housing and home' domain providing tenants, stakeholders and the community an update on the Growing and Renewal Public Housing Program - Future Direction.
ACT Cost Share for National Red Imported Fire Ant Response
Minute Number: 23/806/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Environment sign the new National Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) Response Plan 2023-27.
Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) impact negatively on Australia’s economy, human and animal health, the environment and social amenity. Increased investment supports the suppression and eradication of this pest.
Government Response to the Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity’s Report 8 – Inquiry into the waste management of absorbent hygiene product
Minute Number: 23/759/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Transport and City Services table the ACT Government Response to the Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity’s Report 8 - Inquiry into waste management of absorbent hygiene products in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Response highlights opportunities which can contribute positively to the environment and climate wellbeing domain including encouraging the use of more sustainable absorbent hygiene products. This will help to grow the circular economy.
Implementing a Central Monitoring System (CMS) for ACT Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs)
Minute Number: 23/070/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Justice and Community Safety Directorate further investigate the interest and capability to deliver and operate a Central Monitoring System for ACT Electronic Gaming Machines.
If a Central Monitoring System is implemented, it is expected to have wellbeing impacts in the economy and governance and institutions domains, however, may also have
wellbeing impacts in the health, living standards, social connection and time wellbeing domains.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Appointment of Chair of the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission Governing Board (Minute Number: 23/429/CAB)
- Appointment of Assessment Board under the Variation in Sex Characteristics (Restricted Medical Treatment) Act 2023 (Minute Number: 23/765/CAB)
- Canberra Theatre Redevelopment Project Board Independent Member+ (Minute Number: 23/804/CAB)
- Appointment of the Literacy and Numeracy Education Expert Panel (Minute Number: 23/812/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.
Cabinet date: 23 November 2023
Light Rail Stage 2A: Main Works - Approval to Enter Into Contract
Minute Number: 23/669/ERC
The Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet agreed to Major Projects Canberra, on behalf of the Territory, entering into a contract with Canberra Metro for the delivery of LRS2A and associated works.
Light Rail Stage 2A will have a long-term positive impact on Access and Connectivity within the Canberra community, seeing more people travel to key destinations across Canberra along a mass-transit spine.
Cabinet date: 24 November 2023
2022-23 Minister's Annual Report under the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2020
Minute Number: 23/488/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction table in the ACT Legislative Assembly and publicly release of the 2022–23 Minister’s Annual Report under the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010.
This proposal has no direct impact on any of the wellbeing domains and therefore, it is exempted from needing a Wellbeing Impact Assessment. However, the continued implementation of the Climate Change Strategy, the Living Infrastructure Plan and the Zero Emissions Vehicle Strategy will result in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience to climate change.
Climate Change Impacts on Health - Assembly Resolution of 20 October 2022 – Government response
Minute Number: 23/504/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Health table the Government Response to the Assembly Resolution on Climate Change Impacts on Health in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The submission highlights opportunities which can contribute positively to climate and health wellbeing, to meet the challenges of delivering a high quality, low carbon and climate resilient health system through targeted best practice adaptation and mitigation actions. Implementing the next steps as listed in the ACT Government Response will positively impact the local community.
Position Statement on Trauma-Informed Practices for Children and Young People
Minute Number: 23/510/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health deliver a Ministerial Statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly on, and publicly release the ACT Trauma Informed Practice for Children and Young People Position Statement.
The proposal will have a positive impact for the Canberra Community through two streams. Firstly, the Position Statement works as the foundation for the creation of an authorising environment for trauma informed practices, such as joint care planning and collaboration, across the existing ACT youth mental health service sector. The significance of trauma-informed practice is its ability to reduce the likelihood of intergenerational trauma. Working with children, young people and families in this way becomes critical to achieving better outcomes. Secondly, this position statement promotes the universal application of trauma informed practices across the ACT human services sector, including both government and non-government services.
Bimberi Headline Indictors Report – November 2023
Minute Number: 23/530/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Assistant Minister for Families and Community Services table the Bimberi Headline Indicators Report in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Report demonstrates Bimberi’s ongoing commitment to the wellbeing domain of Safety of children, young people and staff in Bimberi.
ACT Government input to the Local Government National Report 2022-23
Minute Number: 23/671/CAB
Cabinet agreed the ACT Government input to the 2022-23 Local Government National Report be provided to the Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories.
Providing input to the Report is an annual activity under the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995. The input outlines local government-type functions delivered by the ACT Government which can impact several wellbeing domains, including governance and institutions.
Government Response - ACT Historic Housing Debt - Assembly Resolutions of 2 June and 19 October 2022
Minute Number: 23/679/CAB
Cabinet agreed the ACT Government response to the Assembly Resolution ‘ACT Historic Housing Debt’ of 2 June and 19 October 2022 being presented to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Cabinet Submission highlights critical advocacy by the ACT Government to address housing and home wellbeing, through facilitating the provisions of more social and affordable housing in the ACT.
ACT Government Response to ACT Auditor-General’s Report No. 6 of 2023 – Implementation of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement
Minute Number: 23/684/CAB
Cabinet agreed the public release of the ACT Government Response to the Auditor- General Report No. 6 of 2023, Implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Agreement, following tabling in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The ACT Agreement recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s first people. First Nations people have the right to self-determination which is an ongoing process of choice to ensure the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are able to meet their social, cultural and economic needs.
Healthy Canberra Preventive Health Action Plan 2023-2025
Minute Number: 23/687/CAB
Cabinet agreed to publish the second ACT Preventive Health Action Plan 2023-2025.
The ACT Preventive Health Action Plan 2023-2025 (the Action Plan) aims to have a positive impact on the health of Canberrans through delivering evidence-informed actions to prevent chronic disease. The Action Plan aims to make it easier for people to have healthy behaviours at all stages of life, including engaging in physical activity and eating a healthy diet. It also aims to reduce harms from risky behaviours such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and having unsafe sex. The Action Plan acknowledges that a wide range of factors influence people’s health and a Whole of Government approach is required to have the desired positive impact. In collaboration with ACT Government Directorates and the community sector, the Action Plan seeks to positively impact the wellbeing domains of health, safety, access and connectivity, social connection, education and life-long learning, environment and climate, economy, housing and home and living standards.
Government Response - Bulk billing general practices services – Access – Assembly Resolution of 29 June 2023
Minute Number: 23/773/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Health table a Government response on bulk billing general practice services in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The submission highlights ACT Government initiatives, including collaborations with the Commonwealth Government to improve access to mainstream primary health services, and with a particular focus on services that are free at the point of care to support priority population cohorts that are at risk of poor health outcomes.
Government Response - Petition 017-23 – Indian (Common) Myna Control
Minute Number: 23/688/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Environment provide the Government Response to Petition 017-23 - Indian (Common) Myna Control to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly for tabling.
The ACT government’s management of invasive species provides an integrated and prioritised approach to achieve immediate and ongoing conservation outcomes, long-term ecosystem resilience and sustainable and profitable agricultural systems - ensuring the natural, physical, and social and economic amenities of Canberra’s local reserve system and surrounding farmlands are conserved for the Canberra community.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Minister’s Creative Council (Minute Number: 23/696/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.