4 September 2023
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 4 September 2023
Cabinet date: 6 September 2023
Government Response – Proposal to establish an ACT Retirement Villages Ombudsman – Assembly Resolution of 22 March 2023
Minute Number: 23/409/CAB
Cabinet agreed the ACT Government response to the Assembly Resolution
‘ACT Retirement Villages Ombudsman – Possible Establishment’ of 22 March 2023
being tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Government response highlights opportunities to contribute positively to governance and institutions wellbeing, by improving access to justice for retirement village residents, and older people more generally, through enhancements to, and increasing awareness of, existing supports and services.
ACT Government submission to the New South Wales Department of Environment and Planning proposed amendments to the Kosciusko Nation Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan
Minute Number: 23/619/CAB
Cabinet agreed the ACT Government submission on the NSW Department of
Environment and Planning proposed amendments to the New South Wales (NSW) Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan.
Feral horses pose a significant threat to the significant ecological, biodiversity, water catchment and cultural values of the Australian Alps including Namadgi National Park.
The ACT Government submission discusses these threats to the environment and water catchments and the ACT’s zero-tolerance approach as described in the ACT’s Namadgi
National Park Feral Horse Management Plan 2020. The ACT’s submission also discusses the risk of misalignment of policy approaches between states and territories regarding the management of feral horses and the impact on sensitive conservation regions within the Australian Alps. While the ACT supports the proposed amendment to the KNP Plan to authorise aerial shooting of feral horses, there are concerns that the KNP Plan has not
addressed other issues as the ACT submission to the original KNP Wild Horse Plan (Nov 2021) identified.
Building and Construction Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 – Agreement to Introduce
Minute Number: 23/096/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction present the Building and Construction Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Bill will have positive impacts across the economy, safety, home and housing and health domains through providing clarity around building and construction processes and increase safety through ensuring that there is proper oversight and regulation of building, electrical, gasfitting and plumbing work.
Select Committee on Cost of Living Pressures in the ACT – Inquiry into the Cost of Living Pressures in the ACT – Government Response
Minute Number: 23/514-2/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Chief Minister table the ACT Government Response to the Report of
the Select Committee on Cost of Living Pressures in the ACT – Inquiry into Cost of Living Pressures in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The range of measures either agreed or already underway outlined in the ACT Government Response to the Report of the Select Committee on Cost of Living Pressures in the ACT – Inquiry into Cost of Living Pressures in the ACT are expected to have a positive impact on the living standards wellbeing domain for the Canberra community, particularly lower income households who are most impacted by cost-of-living pressures.
Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 23/114/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Environment present the Nature Conservation Amendment Bill 2023 to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Nature Conservation Act Amendment Bill 2023 supports positive impacts on a healthy
and resilient natural environment.
Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 – Agreement to Introduce
Minute Number: 23/050/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Treasurer present the Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Revenue Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 supports the ACT economy by promoting the effective and efficient operation and integrity of the ACT tax system.
Human Rights (Complaints) Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 23/057/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Human Rights present the Human Rights (Complaints) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Human Rights (Complaints) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 will contribute to the governance and institutions wellbeing domain by strengthening the human rights
framework in the ACT.
Condolence Motion – Dr Damian West PSM
Minute Number: 23/626/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Chief Minister deliver in the ACT Legislative Assembly a motion of
condolence for Dr Damian West PSM.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
ACT’s Preparedness and Seasonal Outlook ahead of the 2023-2024 High Risk Weather Season
Minute Number: 23/601/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Police and Emergency Services present the Ministerial Statement titled ACT’s Preparedness and Seasonal Outlook ahead of the High-Risk Weather Season 2023-24 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Mental Health Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 23/040/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health present the Mental Health Amendment Bill 2023 to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Bill addresses changes to the Mental Health Act 2015 (the Act) that seek to enhance the provision of care to people subject to the Act. The amendments assist emergency responders to better manage transport of people with mental health concerns apprehended under the Mental Health Act provisions ensuring transport is safe and more efficient for all involved. The refinement of contravention criteria for mental health order provisions will ensure safe and timely treatment for people subject to mental health orders, match modern day communications and technology, and ensure mental health treatment is continued without delay. Decision makers will consider the most appropriate mental health facilities to house people from within the corrections system being released on a conditional release order to receive treatment, care and support in a least restrictive manner. The Chief Psychiatrist will appoint mental health officers, relieving the Minister for Mental Health of this administrative authority. The Bill will also ensure that the use of spit hoods is not an available restrictive practice that is permissible under the Act.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Appointment of the President of ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Minute Number: 23/431-2/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.