29 April 2024
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 29 April 2024
Cabinet date: 29 April 2024
Review of COVID-19 Operating Model
Minute Number: 24/282/SEMC
Cabinet agreed to publish the final report on the Review of the COVID-19 Operating Model on the ACT’s COVID-19 website.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Resolution of the Assembly 29 November 2023 – Public housing—Minimum energy efficiency standard—Proposed upgrade
Minute Number: 24/238/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development table a report in the ACT Legislative Assembly in response to the “Resolution of the Assembly 29 November 2023 – Public housing – Minimum energy efficiency standard – Proposed upgrade”.
The upgrade of ceiling insulation in public housing will have a direct and sustained positive impact on the thermal comfort and energy costs for project participants. These impacts apply to approximately 3,500 households in public housing properties.
Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019: Three-year Review Report
Minute Number: 24/156/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Special Minister of State table the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019: Three-year Review Report in the ACT Legislative Assembly, along with agreement by the Motor Accident Injuries Commission to implement the action items in the report.
The review report confirms that overall the Motor Accident Injuries Scheme is achieving the outcome of faster and earlier support to Canberrans injured in motor accidents, consistent with the wellbeing indicators of Governance and Institution, and Health.
Government Response to Petition E-PET-031-23 - Access Roads to connect Tralee to Monaro Highway
Minute Number: 24/142/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for City Services and Minister for Transport provide the response to Petition 031-23 - Access Roads to connect Tralee to Monaro Highway to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly for tabling.
The ACT Government recognises the importance of effective and productive cross border transport network planning with the Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council. As our respective urban footprints continue to expand, ensuring compatibility of future development, transport linkages and associated infrastructure is critical.
Monitoring of Place of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Act 2018 – Agreement to Introduce
Minute Number: 23/730/CAB
Cabinet agreed to introduce the Monitoring of Places of Detention Amendment Bill 2024. The Bill will implement in the ACT the legislative requirements for Part IV of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). It will also include amendments to the Inspector of Correctional Services Act 2017 (ICS Act) to implement eight recommendations from the Statutory Review Report: Inspector of Correctional Services Act 2017 (the Statutory Review)
The Bill will have a primary impact on the governance and institutions wellbeing domain, and a secondary impact on the safety wellbeing domain. The implementation of the legislative requirements for Part IV of OPCAT providing for the establishment, functions and powers of the NPM will contribute to the governance and institutions wellbeing domain by strengthening the human rights framework in the ACT. The reform will enhance the protection of the fundamental rights of people in detention in the ACT and improve conditions in detention facilities where required.
The amendments to the ICS Act will have a positive impact on the governance and institutions and safety wellbeing domains. The amendments will have a minor and sustained impact, directly affecting the Office of the Inspector of Correctional Services, ACT Government Directorates, detained people, and organisations that promote the interests of detained people and provide services to people in detention. The amendments will have a positive impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, men, lower-educated individuals, and lower income earners because these groups are overrepresented in the custodial setting. The amendments will promote the safety of these groups by providing them with clearer protections against detrimental action if they disclose information to the Inspector.
Final Report of the Literacy and Numeracy Education Expert Panel and Government Response
Minute Number: 24/328/CAB
Cabinet agreed in-principle to the recommendations in the Final Report of the Literacy and Numeracy Education Expert Panel Inquiry into literacy and numeracy in ACT public schools and for the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs to release the Final Report publicly.
This submission will have a positive effect on the wellbeing domain of education and lifelong learning, by improving educational outcomes for students and reducing equity gaps.
Response to Petition – Remove the Provision of Good Character References for Paedophiles in the Sentencing Procedure of Child Sexual Abuse Cases
Minute Number: 24/148/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General provide the Government Response to Petition E-PET-027-23 – Remove the Provision of Good Character References for Paedophiles in the Sentencing Procedure of Child Sexual Abuse Cases to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly for tabling.
The Response to the petition agrees to ongoing policy work and further consultation with key stakeholders, including the 'Your Reference Ain’t Relevant’ campaigners, with a view to identifying reforms that could make the sentencing process of child sexual abuse offenders more trauma-informed and result in a positive change for victim-survivors.
Canberra Region Local Food Strategy
Minute Number: 23/701/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Canberra Region Local Food Strategy 2024-2029.
The Canberra Region Local Food Strategy 2024-2029 will positively impact the wellbeing of the Canberra community, environment, and economy by supporting and encouraging the ACT and local region’s food system. The Strategy seeks to increase local food production and consumption, increase equitable access to local healthy food, enhance social and economic outcomes through our local food system, and support sustainable urban and rural farming practices.
ACT Critical Infrastructure Framework
Minute Number: 24/280/SEMC
The Security and Emergency Management Committee of Cabinet agreed the Critical Infrastructure Framework and implementation plan for ACT Government administrative units.
The CI Framework supports the governance and institutions domain by providing a framework for directorates to protect their critical and essential infrastructure from threats and hazards.
Private Buildings Cladding Scheme – Testing and Assessment – Residual Risk
Minute Number: 23/853/CAB
Cabinet agreed to extend the timeframes for applications to the Private Cladding Concessional Loan Scheme to February 2026.
This decision will improve the wellbeing of Canberrans by providing a mechanism to ensure the safety and security of housing from potentially combustible cladding.
Callam Offices Tenant Relocation
Minute Number: 24/171/CAB
Cabinet agreed to relocate all tenants currently occupying Callam Offices to alternative accommodation.
The relocation of Callam Office tenants would support the wellbeing of tenants and their employees through the sourcing of fit-for-purpose accommodation.