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25 September 2023

Cabinet decision summary for the week of 25 September 2023

Cabinet date: 25 September 2023

Education (Early Childhood) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 - Agreement to Introduce

Minute Number: 23/250/CAB

Cabinet agreed to introduce the Education (Early Childhood) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which will make amendments to the Education Act 2004 and the Teacher Quality Institute Act 2010, to recognise early childhood education in ACT law.

The Education (Early Childhood) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 will have a positive impact on the wellbeing domain of education and lifelong learning by recognising early childhood education in ACT law. The Bill also supports improvements to child safety and welfare in the ACT and across jurisdictions in Australia and New Zealand, through enabling effective screening and regulation of teachers. This will help to ensure a quality and safe learning environment for all children attending schools and education and care services.

Improving the enforcement capabilities of the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission – Policy Approval

Minute Number: 23/495/CAB

Cabinet agreed to development of the ICRC Enforcement Capabilities Bill 2024 to
modernise the regulatory options available to the ICRC to ensure it has comparable civil enforcement powers to other economic regulators of utilities and energy retailers across Australia.

The ICRC Enforcement Capabilities Bill 2024 will have positive impacts across the Governance and Institutions and Living Standards wellbeing domains.

Statutory Office Holder Independence Review (PaGA Item) – Addendum Report (Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment)

Minute Number: 23/611/CAB

Cabinet considered an addendum to a report on statutory office holder independence pertaining to the role of Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment.

A change to the status of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment may impact the Commissioner and their office staff, for example, by amendment to relevant governing legislation and restructuring offices, budgetary and reporting responsibilities to the Legislative Assembly. Members of the community who interact with the Commissioner’s office and the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate similarly may be impacted by potential changes to Commissioner’s status, though such impacts are likely indirect and of minor degree. These are considered primarily in context of educating community members of the officer holder’s changed status and accountabilities.

Update on Bargaining for Health Professionals Enterprise Agreement – Finalising outstanding claims

Minute Number: 23/637/CAB

Cabinet agreed to provide funding to directorates to offset the costs associated with finalising bargaining for the ACT Public Sector Health Professionals Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026.

Bargaining for the new agreement will have major wellbeing impacts on the community by improving access to quality public health outcomes.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

  • Law Reform and Sentencing Advisory Council – Appointment of Council Members (Minute Number: 23/537/CAB)
  • Investment Advisory Board Appointments (Minute Number: 23/633/CAB)
  • Appointment to the Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) Board (Minute Number: 23/648/CAB)
  • Acting Appointment of President and Human Rights Commissioner of the ACT Human Rights Commission (Minute Number: 23/691/CAB)
  • Diversification and Sustainability Support Fund Advisory Board – Re-appointment (Minute Number: 23/627/CAB)
  • Secure Local Jobs Code Registrar Appointment (Minute Number: 23/707/CAB)

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