28 August 2023

Cabinet decision summary for the week of 28 August 2023

Cabinet date: 28 August 2023

Sentencing (Drug and Alcohol Treatment Orders) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 - Agreement to Introduce

Minute Number: 23/089/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General present the Sentencing (Drug and Alcohol
Treatment Orders) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 and table the Report of the Statutory Review of the Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List Provisions in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The Sentencing (Drug and Alcohol Treatment Orders) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 will have wellbeing impacts across governance and institutions, health outcomes, identity and belonging, and safety. The amendments will have a positive impact on the governance of the Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List (DASL) and the ability of the Court to order Drug and Alcohol Treatment Orders. By making DASL more responsive and accessible, DASL is better placed to address underlying causes for addiction and treat it as a health issue rather than solely a justice issue. As there is a high co-occurrence of substance abuse with mental illness, disability, and disadvantage, the amendments will continue to divert people in disadvantaged groups from custody and support their rehabilitation.

ACT Women’s Plan 2016-26: Third Action Plan

Minute Number: 23/246/CAB

Cabinet agreed to endorse the Third Action Plan 2023-26 under the ACT Women’s Plan 2016-26; and the Minister for Women present a Ministerial Statement on and table the Plan in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Gender equality positively benefits society and the economy. The Third Action Plan is anticipated to improve the wellbeing of all women and girls in the ACT, particularly under the wellbeing domains of health, safety, access and connectivity, economy, housing and home, and identity and belonging.

Athllon Drive Duplication – Options for Detailed Design of the Northern Section

Minute Number: 23/482/CAB

Cabinet agreed the preferred approach to progress the northern section of the Athllon Drive duplication.

The proposal is anticipated to have positive wellbeing impacts under the direct access and connectivity, and economic and health benefits wellbeing domains. These will include outcomes of improved access and connection for all transport modes between Woden, Mawson and on to Tuggeranong, improved and more efficient routes for active travel, public transport and freight, and improved access to the new Woden Bus Depot and the adjacent land release area.

ACT Early Childhood Education and Care Workforce Strategy

Minute Number: 23/480/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Valuing Educators, Values Children: A Workforce Strategy for the ACT Early Childhood Education and Care Profession (2023-2025).

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

Auditor-General Report No. 2 2023 – Management of Operation Reboot (Outpatients) – Government Response

Minute Number: 23/523/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Health table the proposed Government Response to Auditor-General Report No. 2 2023 – Management of Operation Reboot (Outpatients) in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Canberra Health Services’ response to Operation Reboot (Outpatients) supported more than 6,000 additional people from the ACT and surrounding regions to access care which had been delayed due to the effects of COVID-19.

Report 2 – Dhulwa Independent Oversight Board – 19 July 2023

Minute Number: 23/534/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health table – Report 2 – Dhulwa Independent Oversight Board – 19 July 2023 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

This proposal seeks agreement to table the report; Report 2 - Dhulwa Independent Oversight Board – 19 July 2023. The proposal supports wellbeing domains of Governance and Institutions and Health. Specifically, implementing recommendations the ACT Government agreed to will contribute to sustainable improvements that will ensure the provision of safe and high-quality mental health care for clients admitted to the Dhulwa Secure Mental Health Facility, as well as the staff who work within the unit. This proposal includes elements that will be delivered by 1 March 2024. Canberra Health Services was the agency responsible for this preparing this proposal.

Federation Funding Agreements for the Community Solar Banks initiative, the Energy Bill Relief Fund, and the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme

Minute Number: 23/606/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Climate Action sign the Federation Funding Agreement under the Commonwealth Solar Banks initiative, the Federation Funding Agreement for the Sustainable Household Scheme and noted the signing of the Federation Funding Agreement schedule for the Energy Bill Relief Fund.

The signing of Federation Funding Agreements will have a positive impact on the Environment and Climate wellbeing indicator, as it will support achievement of the ACT Government’s zero emissions by 2045 target. It will have a positive impact on the Living Standards wellbeing indicator, as it will help energy consumers lower their cost of living by reducing energy costs.

Government Response – Petition 012-23 and 016-23 – Incorporating the Ainslie Volcanics site into the Mt Ainslie Nature Reserve

Minute Number: 23/558/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government Response to Petition 012-23 and 016-23 - Incorporating the Ainslie Volcanics site into the Mt Ainslie Nature Reserve.

The Ainslie Volcanics site in Ainslie and Campbell provide a range of important ecological, conservation, public amenity and potentially heritage values that are well managed and cared for by existing government arrangements and community support.

Government Response to the Select Committee on Estimates 2023-24 Report – Appropriation Bill 2023-24 and the Appropriation Bill (Office of the Legislative Assembly Bill) 2023-24

Minute Number: 23/618/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the ACT Legislative Assembly Select Committee inquiry into the ACT’s 2023-24 Budget and associated Appropriation Bills.

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

Ministerial Statement – The Report of the Board of Inquiry into the Criminal Justice System

Minute Number: 23/620/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General present a Ministerial Statement in the ACT Legislative Assembly on the Report of the Board of Inquiry into the Criminal Justice System.

While there will be no minor or major impact from the Ministerial Statement, implementation of the recommendations will streamline and clarify processes within the ACT criminal justice system, particularly improving the experience for community members involved in investigations and prosecutions of sexual offences.

Growth and Renewal Public Housing Program – Tenant Relocation Process Redesign update

Minute Number: 23/623/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development present a statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly on the redesign of the tenant relocation process within the Growing and Renewing Public Housing Program.

The Wellbeing impacts for the Growing and Renewing Public Housing program sit within the Housing and Home domain. The domain of Governance and Institutions also applies as related to government working towards better outcomes for the community.

Victims of Crime Amendment Bill 2023 – Agreement to Introduce

Minute Number: 23/625/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General and Minister for Human Rights present the Victims of Crime Amendment Bill 2023 to the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The Victims of Crime Amendment Bill 2023 will have wellbeing impacts across the safety domain.

Ministerial Statement – Board of Inquiry

Minute Number: 23/632/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Chief Minister present a Ministerial Statement on the Report of the Board of Inquiry into the Criminal Justice System to the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (No 2)

Minute Number: 23/82/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General present the Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (No 2) to the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The Bill has a primary positive wellbeing impact on the Governance and Institutions domain.

2022-23 Capital Works Program Quarterly Progress Report – 30 June 2023

Minute Number: 23/19/CAB

Cabinet agreed to table in the ACT Legislative Assembly the 2022-23 Capital Works Program Quarterly Progress Report – 30 June 2023 as required under section 30F of the Financial Management Act 1996.

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

Revised Cabinet Handbook – 2023

Minute Number: 23/522/CAB

Cabinet agreed to revise the ACT Cabinet Handbook.

The ACT Cabinet Handbook outlines the procedures and conventions for the operation of the Cabinet. This decision progresses the Governance and Institutions Wellbeing Domain.

Liquor Amendment Bill 2023 – Policy Approval

Minute Number: 23/084/CAB

Cabinet agreed the drafting of a bill to amend the Liquor Act 2010 to make installation of security cameras and minimum image retention periods mandatory for certain classes of liquor licences to improve security for patrons.

The main wellbeing impact is Safety. The primary outcome is to improve safety for patrons of bars and nightclubs in the ACT and to facilitate ACT Policing to conduct thorough investigations of incidents that impact on the safety of patrons at licensed venues.

Education Amendment Bill 2024 – Policy Approval

Minute Number: 23/352/CAB

Cabinet agreed to drafting amendments to the Education Act 2004 relating to enrolments, attendance, participation and distance education.

The Education Amendment Bill 2024 is expected to improve the wellbeing domain of education and lifelong learning, by modernising the Education Act 2004 in areas relating to enrolments, attendance, participation and distance education.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

Tree Advisory Panel Appointments 2023 (Minute Number: 23/422/CAB)
ACT Supreme Court Acting Judge Appointments (Minute Number: 23/545/CAB)

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