27 May 2024
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 27 May 2024
Cabinet date: 29 May 2024
March Quarter Report, 2023-24 Whole of Government Capital Works Program
Minute Number: 24/014/ERC
The Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet (ERC) agreed to circulate the 2023-24 Capital Works Program Quarterly Progress Report – 31 March 2024 to members of the ACT Legislative Assembly, 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.
Government Response to Standing Committee on Health and Community Wellbeing Report 11-Inquiry into Recovery Plan for Nursing and Midwifery Workers
Minute Number: 24/256/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the Standing Committee on Health and Community Wellbeing - Report 11 - Inquiry into Recovery Plan for Nursing and Midwifery Workers.
Implementation of the Government submission is expected to have a positive impact on health, safety and wellbeing of ACT public health sector nurses and midwives and on the health and safety for patients accessing care in the ACT public health services. The submission will have a disproportionate and positive impact on women as the major gender represented in the nursing and midwifery workforce. The submission will positively impact nurses and midwives of all designations. Positive influences on nursing and midwifery workforce will impact across all aspects of the ACT community for whom they provide care.
ACT State of the Environment Report 2024 – Government Response
Minute Number: 24/077/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the ACT State of the Environment Report 2023 and to the Minister for Environment, Parks and Land Management tabling the Response and making a Ministerial Statement in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The ACT Government’s response to the ACT State of the Environment Report 2023 reaffirms the Government’s work to protect, conserve and enhance the ACT’s environment and its position on recommendations presented in the Report. The ACT State of the Environment Report 2023 has provided the opportunity for the Government to reflect on its current environmental work program and associated policy agenda and where these may need to evolve or be prioritised to better protect the ACT’s environment for all Canberrans.
Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Minute Number: 24/039/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Health introduce the Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Bill has a primary positive impact on the Governance and Institutions domain.
Planning System Governance Review – Assembly Resolution 31 May 2023
Minute Number: 24/204/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Chief Minister: table the ACT Planning System Governance Review: Final Report; and deliver a Ministerial Statement in response to the Review, in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The review relates to the Governance and Institutions Wellbeing Domain. The administrative and governance measures in response to the review will contribute to trust in government by improving public information about the planning system.
ACT Government submission to the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) re Draft rule determination, National Electricity Amendment (Accelerating Smart Meter Deployment) Rule
Minute Number: 24/370/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reductions provide a submission to the Australian Energy Market Commission on its Draft rule determination, “National Electricity Amendment (Accelerating smart Meter Deployment)”.
The acceleration of the rollout of smart meters will have a positive impact on the wellbeing domain of living standards. Smart meters will assist in achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, support diversification of the ACT energy supply and increase the energy services that are available to consumers.
Government Amendments – Housing and Consumer Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill
Minute Number: 24/324/CAB
Cabinet agreed Government Amendments to the Housing and Consumer Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 to apply the rules limiting excessive rent increases consistently across tenancies and to commence the repeal of employment agent licences from 1 July 2024.
The Government Amendments will have minor positive impacts in the housing and home domain by improving renters’ rights, in addition to the positive impacts in the safety and economy domains achieved through the overall Bill.
Vulnerable Household Energy Support Scheme (VHESS) quarterly report on progress to ERC – April 2024
Minute Number: 24/205-2/CAB
Cabinet agreed funding for the remainder of the Vulnerable Household Energy Support Scheme (VHESS).
The Vulnerable Household Energy Support Scheme (VHESS) provides positive wellbeing impacts across the Housing and Home, Environment and Climate, Living Standards and Health wellbeing domains.
COMBINED PASS Controlled Sports Amendment Bill 2024
Minute Number: 24/056/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Sport and Recreation present the Controlled Sports Amendment Bill 2024 to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
It is anticipated that there will be positive wellbeing impacts across the access and connectivity, and governance and institutions wellbeing domains.
The future of the Social Cost of Carbon Fund
Minute Number: 24/172/CAB
Cabinet noted the significant investment in the electrification of government assets funded in the 2023-24 ACT Budget and agreed to cease the Social Cost of Carbon fund at the end of 2023-24.
This submission identifies the Environment and Climate domain as the primary wellbeing indicator, as projects funded by the Social Cost of Carbon fund have assisted the ACT in meeting its emissions reduction targets.
Minute Number: 24/203/CAB
Open Access - Reason for Withholding Access
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Appointment: Northside Hospital Project Board chair and independent member (Minute Number: 24/294/CAB)
- ACT Children and Young People Death Review Committee (CYPDRC) – Committee Member Appointments (Minute Number: 24/187/CAB)
- Appointments to Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing (Minute Number: 24/152/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.
Cabinet date: 2 June 2024
Ministerial Statement - Reconciliation Week 2024
Minute Number: 24/368/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs deliver a Ministerial Statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Cabinet Business paper wellbeing domain is Identity and Belonging. Reconciliation Week 2024 focusses on the theme ‘Now More Than Ever’, a reminder to all that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will and must continue.
2024 Annual Safer Families Ministerial Statement
Minute Number: 24/298/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence table the annual Safer Families Ministerial Statement. The 2024 Safer Families Ministerial Statement is
the eighth such statement.
Delivering the 2024 Safer Families Ministerial Statement supports the safety wellbeing domain, signalling to the ACT community that domestic and family violence is a serious issue which the ACT Government is committed to addressing and preventing, ensuring support is available for victim-survivors. Delivering the statement will also support the governance and institutions wellbeing domain by fulfilling the government’s commitment to delivering the statement.
ACT Government Response to the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body Report from Hearings 14-16 August 2023 – Eleventh Report to the ACT Government
Minute Number: 24/264/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs deliver a Ministerial Statement on and table the ACT Government Response to the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body Report from Hearings 14-16 August 2023 - Eleventh Report to the ACT Government in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The initiatives in the ACT Government Response seek to implement the ACT Agreement and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap to deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This work will impact all areas of wellbeing for the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. This work is underpinned by the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s first people and the principle of self-determination of First Nations people, which is an ongoing process of choice to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities can meet their social, cultural and economic needs.
Government Response to Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety Report No 24 - Inquiry Parentage (Surrogacy) Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 24/239/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety Report No 24 – Inquiry into the Parentage (Surrogacy) Amendment Bill 2023 and Government amendments to the Parentage (Surrogacy) Amendment Bill 2023.
The Parentage (Surrogacy) Amendment Bill 2023 and Government amendments to the Bill will contribute to positive impacts across both the identity and belonging and governance and institutions wellbeing domains for children born by surrogacy, surrogates and intended parents. The proposed reforms aim to improve access, provide more legal certainty for parties entering surrogacy arrangements, and strengthen the protection of human rights for all parties involved in domestic altruistic surrogacy arrangements.
Ministerial Statement – Better Regulation Agenda 2023-24 Progress Update
Minute Number: 24/237/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Government Services and Regulatory Reform present 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.
Government Response - ACT Auditor-General’s Report No.1 of 2024 – Urban Tree Management
Minute Number: 24/226/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for City Services table the Government Response to the Auditor- General’s report No 1/ 2024 – Urban Tree Management in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Government Response has positive wellbeing impacts for Environment and climate.
2023 Youth Assembly ‘Our Voice, Our Impact’ Report and ACT Government response to the Youth Assembly ‘Our Voice, Our Impact’ report
Minute Number: 24/186/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs: table the 2023 Youth Assembly Report; table the ACT Government response; and deliver a Ministerial Statement on the Government Response, in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Responding to the 2023 Youth Assembly Report (the Report) demonstrates that the ACT Government values young people and is willing to consider their views in reviewing and developing policy and program that affect young people. The Report provides a resource for the ACT Government to inform current and future policies and programs. Considering the recommendations in the Report will have a positive impact for young Canberrans in relation to gender inequality, social exclusion, and cost of living pressures in the Canberran community.
Response to petition E-PET-024-23 Stop the ACT Government's GP Tax
Minute Number: 24/339/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the petition E-PET-024-23 Stop the ACT Government's GP Tax be provided to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly for tabling.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Ministerial Statement - Update on the ACT Small Business Strategy 2023-26 and Government Response to Businesses in the ACT - Support - Assembly Resolution of 20 March 2024
Minute Number: 24/307/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Business present a Ministerial Statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly with updates on the ACT Small Business Strategy 2023-2026 and the ACT Government Response to the Assembly Resolution on Businesses in the ACT.
The wellbeing impacts of the Ministerial Statement to update the Legislative Assembly on the implementation of the ACT Small Business Strategy 2023-2026 (the Strategy) and the ACT Government Response to the Assembly Resolution on Businesses in the ACT relate primarily to the wellbeing domain of Economy, and to the Governance and institutions domain. The small business sector makes a significant contribution to the ACT economy, driving economic diversification, providing secure and stable jobs for Canberrans and improving wellbeing through shaping solutions to local and global problems. The Strategy continues to contribute to enhancing the economic prosperity and living standards of Canberrans through the implementation of its priority actions.
Government response - Petition E-Pet-004-24 - Reverse Telopea Park School Timetable Changes
Minute Number: 24/261/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs provide the Government response to Petition E-Pet-004-24 - Reverse Telopea Park School Timetable Changes to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly for tabling.
The Government response provides a positive impact in the domain of education and lifelong learning. Changes to the School’s timetable have been proposed to the community with the overarching intent to positively impact the school’s ability to provide students with effective learning and teaching.
National Artificial Intelligence Assurance Framework
Minute Number: 24/235/CAB
Cabinet agreed to endorse the National AI Assurance Framework for consideration at the June 2024 Data and Digital Ministers Meeting.
The ACT Government’s endorsement of the National AI Assurance Framework has positive impacts in the Wellbeing domains of Governance and Institutions, Economy, and Access and Connectivity.
Government Response to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety – Report No 25 – Inquiry into the Sexual, Family and Personal Violence Legislative Amendment Bill 2023
Minute Number: 24/233/CAB
Cabinet agreed the proposed Government Response to the Justice and Community Safety Standing Committee Inquiry into the Sexual, Family and Personal Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 and the proposed Government amendments to the Bill.
The Government Response and proposed Government amendments promote trust in government and seeks to improve the experience of applicants and respondents of family violence and personal protection orders in the justice system, as well as improve efficiency and safety for all parties within family and personal violence proceedings.
Multiculturalism Annual Ministerial Statement 2024 and Racial Discrimination Elimination Government Response and in response to Racial Discrimination Elimination – Assembly Resolution of 23 March 2023
Minute Number: 24/218/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Multicultural Affairs deliver the Multiculturalism Annual Ministerial Statement 2024 and Racial Discrimination Elimination Government Response to the Legislative Assembly.
The Multiculturalism Annual Ministerial Statement 2024 and Racial Discrimination Elimination Government Response addresses the ACT Government’s commitment to promoting multiculturalism in the ACT where all Canberrans are welcome, diversity is embraced, contributions are valued regardless of background and experiences, to create a harmonious and unified community based on mutual respect, trust and understanding to end racism and other forms of unlawful discrimination. The Wellbeing Domain most significantly addressed in tabling this report is Identity and Belonging.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Appointments to the Canberra Region Medical Education Council (Minute Number: 24/362/CAB)
- Appointment to the Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) Board – member nominated by the Director-General, Education Directorate (Minute Number: 24/347/CAB)
- Government Procurement Board Appointment of Chairperson (Minute Number: 24/340/CAB)
- Appointment to the Public Trustee and Guardian Investment Board (Minute Number: 23/882/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.