29 January 2024

Cabinet decision summary for the week of 29 January 2024

Cabinet date: 31 January 2024

Workplace Legislation Amendment Bill – Agreement to Introduce

Minute Number: 23/052/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety introduce the Workplace Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 to the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The amendments will positively impact wellbeing in relation to the safety domain for workers in the ACT. Strengthening WHS laws in the Territory has a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Canberra workers. Penalties are applied to offences under the ACT’s WHS laws and act as a deterrent against non-compliant behaviours. The amendments will increase penalty amounts that have not been adjusted since 2011.

Government Position on Private Member’s Bill (Dr Paterson MLA) – Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2023

Minute Number: 23/714/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government position on the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2023 (Private Member’s Bill) and for a government amendment to be moved to ensure the Gambling and Racing Commission must not issue any class B licence and authorisation certificates to applicants if the premises for which the licence and authorisation certificate is sought are located in the Molonglo Valley or an undeveloped area.

The Government response to the Gaming Machine Amendment Bill 2023 will have wellbeing impacts in the governance and institutions domain, however, may also have wellbeing impacts in the social connection, economy and health domains.

Government Position on Private Member’s Bill (Dr Paterson MLA) – Gaming Machine Amendment Bill2023

Minute Number: 23/714/CAB

Civil Law (Wrongs) Amendment Bill 2024 – Agreement to Introduce

Minute Number: 23/073/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Attorney-General present the Civil Law (Wrongs) Amendment Bill 2024 to the ACT Legislative Assembly

The Civil Law (Wrongs) Amendment Bill 2024 has a primary positive wellbeing impact on the social connection and governance and institutions domains.

Biosecurity Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 – Agreement to Introduce

Minute Number: 23/803/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Environment, Parks and Land Management present the Biosecurity Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 to the ACT Legislative Assembly

The Biosecurity Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 makes several technical and transitional amendments to support the Biosecurity Act 2023. The implementation of these reforms will have a positive impact on Governance and Institutions, Environment and Climate, Economy and Social Connection in the ACT. Reforming the ACT’s biosecurity system will provide a safer environment for the ACT community, businesses and visitors by protecting our environment, economy and community from biosecurity risks and threats.

Government Response to Petitions 022-23 and 028-23 – Save Tree Hollows

Minute Number: 23/845/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Planning provide the Government Response to petitions 022-23 and 028-23 regarding Save Tree Hollows to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly for tabling.

The petitions relate to hollow bearing trees and Development Application DA-202240865 for Block 20, Section 43 Scullin. The DA requires retention of relevant trees. Under new planning and tree legislation that has now taken effect, there are improved processes in place for consideration of environmental factors.

Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2024

Minute Number: 23/874/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Children, Youth and Family Services present the Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2024 to the ACT Legislative Assembly

The Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2024 will support positive impacts for the ACT community across 4 wellbeing domains: social connection; identity and belonging; safety; and governance and institutions.

Vote on Amendments to the Australian Consumer Law

Minute Number: 23/857/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Consumer Affairs vote on behalf of the ACT on two proposals to amend the Australian Consumer Law

This submission will have positive impacts on the domain of Safety, with a secondary positive impact on the domain of Health.

Cabinet date: 4 February 2024

Federation Funding Agreement - Urban Rivers and Catchments Program

Minute Number: 23/835/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Environment sign a Federation Funding Agreement with the Australian Government to access funding for ACT community groups under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.

The ACT's facilitation of Australian Government funding under the urban rivers and catchments program will deliver tangible outcomes restoring the health of our urban waterways for native plants, animals, and local communities and provide for the health and social wellbeing of Canberrans accessing nature in the Bush Capital.

Final Report on the Blueprint for Youth Justice in the ACT 2012-2022

Minute Number: 23/555/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Final Report on the Blueprint for Youth Justice in the ACT 2012-2022 for public release and tabling in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The Final Report will have a positive impact in the 'governance and institutions' domain. This flows from the Final Report's public reporting on progress under the goals and strategies of the Blueprint for Youth Justice in the ACT 20L2-2022. It also provides transparency and accountability in relation to the ACT Government's efforts in the area of youth justice.

Government Response - Review of Embedded Networks in the ACT

Minute Number: 23/665/CAB

Cabinet agreed the ACT Government response to the Review of Embedded Networks in the ACT, and that the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate will lead work to enable a cross-directorate program to further investigate the recommendations made by the Review.

Housing and home - Since the onset of higher electricity prices from the beginning of the 2022-23 financial year there have been increasing number of consumer complaints about the lack of market access and consumer protections for consumers in embedded networks. This represents a major impact on utility customers within an embedded network who may be unable to readily change their utility service provider and access on-market offers. Customers may also not have access to dispute resolution services through external and independent organisations such as ombudsman services. Residents in multi-unit facilities where embedded networks exist may not be aware of the existence of an embedded network, or the implications of being part of an embedded network in terms of the reduced competition and protections they imply.

Government Response to ACT Coroners Report - Drowning in ACT Rivers

Minute Number: 23/809/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Environment, Parks and Land Management table the Coroner's Report - Drownings in ACT Rivers, together with the Government Response in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

As an interim for the upcoming 2O23-24 summer swimming season, a range of education and awareness activities are being undertaken through an ACT Government 'Reduce your risk around waterways' campaign, as well as on ground improvements to infrastructure at priority sites along the Murrumbidgee River and Cotter Reserve. Education and awareness activities will seek to improve community understanding and awareness of the dangers associated with swimming at inland waterways and reduce the likelihood of injury and/ or death by drowning.

Report 3 - Dhulwa lndependent Oversight Board

Minute Number: 23/863/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health table Report 3 from the Dhulwa Independent Oversight Board and deliver a Ministerial Statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly outlining the recommendations made in the Report.

This proposal supports wellbeing domains of Governance and lnstitutions 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 consumers and staff within the Dhulwa Mental Health Unit.

Government Submission to the Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity lnquiry into the ACT environment's bushfire preparedness

Minute Number: 23/891/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government Submission to the Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity's lnquiry into the ACT environments bushfire preparedness.

Ensuring the ACT is well prepared for bushfires will remain a core priority for the ACT Government, with consideration of the impacts of climate change and a responsibility to keep Canberran's safe.

United Kingdom Study Tour - Ministerial Statement

Minute Number: 24/049/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health deliver a Ministerial Statement on the United Kingdom Study Tour in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

It is anticipated that the learnings from this study tour will provide valuable insight and perspective on mental health policy and approaches that can be considered and applied within the ACT. This may benefit the wellbeing of the community, particularly people affected by mental ill-health, their families, and carers. There may also be benefits to the government and community sector through the consideration of different perspectives on service delivery.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

University of Canberra Council Reappointment 2024 (Minute Number: 23/776/CAB)
Appointment to Ministerial Advisory Council for Veterans and their Families (Minute Number: 23/843/CAB)
Appointment of ACT Remuneration Tribunal Member and Reappointment of Chair (Minute Number: 23/849/CAB)
ACT Children and Young People Death Review Committee – Appointment (Minute Number: 23/852/CAB)

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