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9 October 2023

Cabinet decision summary for the week of 9 October 2023

Cabinet date: 10 October 2023

Sexual, Family and Personal Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 – Agreement to Introduce

Minute Number: 23/087/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General introduce to the ACT Legislative Assembly, the Sexual, Family and Personal Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which will implement amendments to streamline family and personal violence proceedings and promote the safety of victim-survivors of sexual, family, and personal violence.

The Sexual, Family and Personal Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 will have wellbeing impacts across the governance and institutions, and safety wellbeing domains. The reforms will have positive impacts on those navigating the justice system in sexual, family and personal violence proceedings, including offenders, respondents, protected persons and victim-survivors.

Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 – Agreement to introduce

Minute Number: 23/080/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the presentation of the Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which will amend criminal law legislation to support the efficient and effective functioning of the ACT criminal justice system.

The Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 will have wellbeing impacts across the governance and institutions, and the safety wellbeing domains. The reforms will have impacts on trust in government as they will help to ensure that laws relating to the ACT criminal justice system remain fit for purpose.

Urban Forest (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023 - Agreement to introduce

Minute Number: 23/113/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the introduction of the Urban Forest (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023 (the Bill) to make minor amendments to various pieces of legislation.

The Bill indirectly addresses the Environment and Climate wellbeing domain via the Act that it supports. The Urban Forest Act 2023 sets the framework for a contemporary tree protection system to support delivery of ACT Government commitments outlined in the Urban Forest Strategy 2021-2045, the Climate Change Strategy 2019-2025 and the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement for the 10th Legislative Assembly of the ACT.

Set up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT Phase Two Implementation Plan and governance and assurance mechanisms for Three Year-old Preschool

Minute Number: 23/505/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Set up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT Phase Two Implementation Plan.

The Phase Two Plan makes a critical contribution to the ACT Wellbeing Framework and a direct contribution to the wellbeing domain Education and Lifelong Learning, but also to a broader range of domains by supporting the economic benefits of a sustainable and high-quality early childhood education in the ACT.

Government Response to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Inquiry on the Modern Slavery Amendment Bill 2023

Minute Number: 23/564/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government position on the Modern Slavery Amendment Bill 2023 and the Government Response to the Public Accounts Standing Committee Inquiry on the Modern Slavery Amendment Bill 2023.

This submission is in the governance and institution wellbeing domain. The ACT Government has committed to addressing modern slavery by ensuring ACT legislation can identify and effectively respond as a part of the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement. Everyday millions of men, women and children around the world are impacted by modern slavery. Their labour – extracted through deception, force, coercion, violence, or threats can form part of supply chains supporting the ACT Government.

ACT Government Submission to the Multicultural Framework Review

Minute Number: 23/624/CAB

Cabinet agreed the ACT Government Submission to the Multicultural Framework Review be submitted.

Promoting multiculturalism, social cohesion and inclusion positively impacts the wellbeing of all Canberrans. Meeting the needs of current and future multicultural Canberra contributes to a strong economy and enhanced living standards, enables business and innovation sectors to create opportunities, and supports the Government to deliver critical services like health care and education. Equity and support for multicultural communities contributes to social connection and a sense of identity and belonging for all Canberrans.

Government Response to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety – Report No 18 – Inquiry into Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (the Bill) and Government Amendments to the Bill

Minute Number: 23/628/CAB

Cabinet agreed to table the Government Response to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety’s Report No. 18, Inquiry into Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023; and introduce additional amendments to the Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.

The Government Response to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety’s Report No. 18, Inquiry into Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 and related Government amendments will support positive impacts for the ACT community in relation to outcomes for safety and governance and institutions.

2024 Assembly Sitting Calendar

Minute Number: 23/659/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Manager of Government Business move the Motion – 2024 Assembly Sitting Calendar in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

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

Government amendments to the Justice and Community Safety Legislation Bill 2023 (No. 1)

Minute Number: 23/712/CAB

Cabinet agreed to move government amendments to the Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (No 1).

This submission has minor positive impacts in the Access and Connectivity domains and Governance and Institutions domains.

Cabinet date: 15 October 2023

Government Response – Coroners Court of the Australian Capital Territory Report No [2023] ACTCD 5 – Inquest into the Death of Christiaan Adriaan Roodt

Minute Number: 23/512/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the Coroner’s Inquiry into the death of Christiaan Adriaan Roodt be presented to the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Responding to the Coroner’s recommendations and providing information on the broader work being undertaken by the Education Directorate to enhance safety will improve safety for children and young people in our public schools and improve community confidence that the Directorate has strong safety systems in place.

Government Response to ACT Auditor-General’s Performance Audit – Procurement of a Hybrid Electric Fire Truck – Report No. 4/2023

Minute Number: 23/539/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Police and Emergency Services table the Government’s Response to the ACT Auditor-General’s Performance Audit – Procurement of a Hybrid Electric Fire Truck – Report No. 4 / 2023 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The purpose of this response is to acknowledge the Government’s commitment to reflecting on the observations made by the Auditor-General in the Performance Audit – Procurement of a Hybrid Electric Fire Truck – Report No. 4 / 2023.

Government Response to ACT Auditor-General’s Report No 3/2023 – Financial Management Services for Protected Persons

Minute Number: 23/546/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General table the ACT Government Response to the Auditor-General’s Report No 3/2023 – Financial Management Services for Protected Persons in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The Government Response adopts the recommendations which range across matters of governance and administration, service delivery, complaints and technology. When implemented, these recommendations will enhance community wellbeing in the governance and institutions domain.

Government Response – Improvements across the health system – Assembly Resolutions of 11 October 2022 and 29 November 2022

Minute Number: 23/589/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Health present a Ministerial Statement on improvements across the Health System to the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The submission highlights forthcoming and existing awareness-raising initiatives and services available in the ACT in relation to cardiovascular disease in women and autoimmune disorders. Increased awareness is likely to have a direct and sustained positive impact on awareness of services and understanding of appropriate care for autoimmune disease and cardiovascular disease. This may have an indirect positive impact on the overall health status of persons affected, including their families and carers.

Ministerial Statement – annual progress update on the ACT Carers Strategy 2018-2028

Minute Number: 23/656/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Assistant Minister for Families and Community Service present a Ministerial Statement providing an annual progress update for the ACT Carers Strategy to the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The Statement will have a positive impact in the ‘governance and institutions’ and ‘identity and belonging’ domains. These flow from the Statement providing an annual update on progress under the ACT Carers Strategy and its recognition of the value and importance of unpaid carers in the ACT community.

ACT agreement to National Skills Agreement 2024

Minute Number: 23/674/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Skills sign the National Skills Agreement 2024 on behalf of the ACT.

Cabinet noted the Agreement will have a positive impact on the Education and lifelong learning indicator as it is proposed that under the Agreement, eligible learners will receive access to education and training enhancing the likelihood of employment. It will align with the ACT’s Skilled to Succeed key priorities and provide opportunities for life-long learning and foundation skills development, bolstered by supporting training providers to deliver quality education and training. The Agreement will also allow the ACT to support a number of key initiatives including Closing the Gap.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

  • Appointment to the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) - Chair (Minute Number: 23/593/CAB)
  • Inaugural appointment of member to the ACT Health System Council (Minute Number: 23/678/CAB)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner (Minute Number: 23/704/CAB)

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