24 April 2023
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 24 April 2023
Cabinet date: 26 April 2023
Submission to the Inspector General of Water Compliance
Minute Number: 23/375/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the public submission to the Inspector General of Water Compliance on its regulatory policy and approach for managing the water resources in the Murray Darling Basin.
The benefits from the effective implementation of Murray-Darling Basin water reforms assist all communities across the Basin that are reliant on sustainable water resource management. These benefits will be realised in the domains of the environment, and governance and institutions. Effective water regulation builds public trust and confidence in water management arrangements, and ensures environmental sustainability and water security for future generations; within the ACT, upper Murrumbidgee region and the Murray Darling Basin.
Supreme Court (Wrongful Convictions) Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 22/068/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General present the Supreme Court Amendment Bill 2023 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Bill will support the wellbeing outcome of Governance and Institutions by providing a further right to appeal a conviction on the basis of fresh and compelling evidence. The legislative reform will have a positive impact on human rights by supporting the right to a fair trial by providing a further avenue for appeal in the event that fresh and compelling evidence becomes available.
Agreement to introduce Biosecurity Bill 2023
Minute Number: 22/404/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Environment present the Biosecurity Bill 2023 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Biosecurity Bill 2023 will have a positive and beneficial impact on Governance and Institutions, Environment and Climate, Economy and Social Connection in the ACT. Overall, the Biosecurity Bill 2023 will provide a safer environment for Territorians, businesses and visitors by protecting our environment, economy and community from biosecurity risks and threats which can negatively impact livelihoods, social amenity, lifestyle, health, business operations, sustainable economic development, biodiversity and the natural environment.
Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 – Agreement to Introduce
Minute Number: 23/035/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the presentation of the Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 to make amendments to legislation to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility in the ACT.
The Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility will have positive impacts for the ACT community in relation to outcomes for safety, justice, rights protection, and health and wellbeing.
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (No 1)
Minute Number: 23/081/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General present the Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (No 1) in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (No 1) has a primary positive wellbeing impact on the governance and institutions domain. There are secondary positive wellbeing impacts in the economic domain.
Charter for Parents and Families
Minute Number: 23/196/CAB
Cabinet agreed: the public release of the Charter for Parents and Families; the Minister for Families and Community Services deliver a Ministerial Statement in the ACT Legislative Assembly on the Charter; and the Community Services Directorate commence work to develop a statutory instrument to include the Charter for Parents and Families in the Children and Young People Act 2008.
The Charter for Parents and Families is expected to have major positive impact under the Governance and Institutions Domain for families who are engaged with child protection services, and staff working in the ACT child protection sector – most closely connected to trust in government and feeling that voice and perspective matter. The Charter is also expected to have a major positive impact for children and families in the ACT who are involved with the child protection system under the Social Connection Domain.
Response - Assembly Resolution of 9 February 2023 regarding Outpatient and Emergency Department Wait Times
Minute Number: 23/278/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Health present a Ministerial Statement and table a report in the ACT Legislative Assembly responding to an Assembly Resolution of 9 February 2023 on outpatient and emergency department waiting times waiting times.
It is anticipated the proposal will have the following wellbeing impacts across the Governance and Institutions and Health wellbeing domains: Transparency of information, The comparison of 2022 and 2023 data will help to inform policy direction to enhance services provided to Canberra and its surrounding regions, and Highlight service delivery areas for improvement.
Follow up response to the Coroner’s Inquiry into the Death of Passenger H
Minute Number: 23/320/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the follow-up response to the Coroner's Inquiry into the Death of Passenger H and tabling the Risk Assessment in the Legislative Assembly.
Transport Canberra is committed to the ongoing joint assessment of risks associated with the delivery of community bus services and are members of the Community Transport Forum who meet regularly to discuss and identify service improvements and safety matters that may need to be addressed.
Ministerial Statement – Dhulwa – Progress with Implementing the Recommendations of the Deegan Report
Minute Number: 23/363/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health deliver a Ministerial Statement - Dhulwa - Progress with Implementing the Recommendations of the Deegan Report in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
ACT Government submission to the Senate inquiry into impact and management of feral horses in the Australian Alps
Minute Number: 23/389/CAB
Cabinet agreed the ACT Government submission to the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee inquiry into impacts and management of feral horses in the Australian Alps.
This submission relates to the Environment and Climate domain - Feral horses continue to pose significant threat to high-value and sensitive ecological and water catchment areas in Namadgi National Park. By better aligning State and Territory best practice management and policy, programs and funding regarding feral horses, the impact on the environment can be reduced and restoration of native regions be improved.
Government Submission – Standing Committee Inquiry into the Modern Slavery Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 23/392/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Submission to the Standing Committee Inquiry into the Modern Slavery Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.
The impact of the Modern Slavery Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 will have impacts for Businesses seeking to work with the ACT Government, the impact of any additional requirements to respond to modern slavery in the context of ACT Government Procurements will need to be quantified in the Cost to Business project being undertaken as a part of the Better Regulation Taskforce Agenda.
Reasons for withholding access
Minute number: 23/400/CAB
Open Access - Reason for Withholding Access
Cabinet date: 30 April 2023
Tax Expenditure Statement 2021-22
Minute Number: 22/674/CAB
Cabinet agreed the public release of the ACT Tax Expenditure Statement 2021-22.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Age-Friendly City Plan 2020-2024 – Third Annual Statement
Minute Number: 22/737/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Veterans and Seniors deliver a Ministerial Statement on and table the Age-Friendly City Plan – Third Progress Report in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Cabinet agreed the Age-Friendly City Plan – Third Progress Report contributes to the wellbeing of older Canberrans, primarily through the Identity and Belonging domain and has cross-cutting impacts across all Wellbeing domains. The Plan primarily impacts older Canberrans and may have secondary impacts for carers (of older people).
Bimberi Headline Indicators Report May 2023
Minute Number: 23/060/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Assistant Minister for Families and Community Services table the Bimberi Headline Indicators Report and deliver a Ministerial Statement on the 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.
Combined Our Booris, Our Way Review – Six-Monthly Update and Out of Home Care Snapshot Report – May 2023
Minute Number: 23/236/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Families and Community Services: deliver a Ministerial Statement on the progress of the Government Response to the recommendations from the Our Booris, Our Way Review and the Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy; and table the Our Booris, Our Way six-monthly update and Out of Home Care Snapshot Report in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Implementation of the Our Booris, Our Way recommendations focus on reducing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the child protection system, improving the experience of children and young people whilst in care, and increasing pathways for restoration to parents, kin and culture. The intention of the Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy is to improve outcomes for children and young people by providing more flexible, child focused services; and to reduce demand for out of home care places. The Out of Home Care Snapshot Report provides transparency of data earlier than is possible through national reporting mechanisms.
Ministerial Statement: Updates on the Better Regulation Agenda
Minute Number: 23/263/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Business and Better Regulation deliver a Ministerial Statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly with updates on the Better Regulation Agenda.
The ACT Government has long been committed to better regulation. The Better Regulation Taskforce was set up to deliver a program of reform work to make it easier to start up, run and grow a business in the ACT. The ambitious Better Regulation Agenda is now having, and will continue to have, positive wellbeing impacts in the areas of economy, with a secondary impact in the governance and institutions domain.
Ministerial Statement – Delegation to the United States and Canada (February 2023) Update
Minute Number: 23/321/CAB
Cabinet agreed that the Minister for Police and Emergency Services deliver a Ministerial Statement providing a summary account of the Delegation to the United States of America and Canada in February 2023.
The delegation to the United States of America and Canada demonstrated the ACT Government’s efforts towards an informed and considered approach to understanding and planning for the challenges involved in a public-health driven response to drug use in the ACT.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointment:
- Cemeteries and Crematoria Authority Governing Board Appointments 2023 (Minute Number: 23/154/CAB)
- Appointments to the ACT Youth Advisory Council (Minute Number: 23/172/CAB)
- Appointment of Official Visitor for the purposes of the Disability Services Act 1991 (Minute Number: 23/181/CAB)
- ACT Supreme Court Acting Judge Appointments (Minute Number: 23/213/CAB)
- ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Part-Time Non-Presidential Senior Member reappointments (Minute Number: 23/292/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.