5 August 2024
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 5 August 2024
Cabinet date: 7 August 2024
Government response to recommendations contained in the Chief Psychiatrist report
Minute Number: 24/304/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the Chief Psychiatrist’s report: Recommendations for reform of care, treatment and support provided to people deemed not guilty because of mental impairment and released from custody into the care of mental health services be tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly; and the Minister for Mental Health present a Ministerial Statement on the Government Response in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The tabling of the Government Response will primarily impact the Health and Safety domains. The Government Response seeks to promote patient and community safety by supporting the wellbeing of forensic patients receiving mental health treatment, care and support under forensic mental health orders and conditional release orders.
Strategic Approach to Countering Foreign Interference (CFI)
Minute Number: 24/431/SEMC
The Security and Emergency Management Committee of Cabinet agreed to a two-year strategic approach to countering foreign interference.
By taking a strategic approach to countering foreign interference, the ACT Government is seeking to protect community members, businesses and cultural organisations, and government officials from the harms of foreign interference. The wellbeing impacts are in the governance and institutions domain.
Gungahlin Tennis Facility and Throsby Home of Football Update
Minute Number: 24/457/CAB
Cabinet agreed to release funds from the Throsby Home of Football project budget to support a realignment of the project to focus on the delivery of community sportsgrounds at Throsby and to deliver the Gungahlin Tennis Facility consistent with the 2020 election commitment.
Delivery of community sportsgrounds at Throsby and the Gungahlin Tennis Facility in Amaroo will deliver community sporting facilities to support the growing population in Gungahlin.
Parliamentary and Governing Agreement Status Report No 8 – Public – August 2024
Minute Number: 24/013/CAB
Cabinet agreed the drafting and public release of the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement Annual Statement 2024.
The release of the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement Annual Statement 2024 progresses the governance and institutions wellbeing domain by providing the ACT community a summary of the Government’s progress made on the initiatives it identified as priorities at the commencement of 10th ACT Legislative Assembly.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointment:
- ACT Multi Hazard Advisory Council - Appointment (Minute Number: 24/456/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.
Cabinet date: 8 August 2024
Reasons for withholding access
Minute number: 24/466/CAB
Open Access - Reason for Withholding Access
Cabinet date: 11 August 2024
Engineering Workforce Plan Update
Minute Number: 24/229/CAB
Cabinet agreed the release of the Progress Report on Implementation of the ACT Engineering Workforce Plan.
There are approximately 3,800 engineers providing professional engineering services in the ACT, with approximately 250 working within the ACT public service. The principles of engineering support each of the wellbeing domains in the Wellbeing Framework. The role engineers play support all sectors of the ACT community.
Federation Funding Agreement (Schedule) – Smoking and Vaping Cessation Activities
Minute Number: 24/129/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Population Health sign the Federation Funding Agreement - Smoking and Vaping Cessation Activities, increasing the total amount of funding available to States and Territories to ensure that a minimum equivalent level of Quitline services is available to all Australians regardless of location, with additional development or expansion of services providing support for vaping cessation.
The main wellbeing domain is Health with the following impacts: increasing access to treatment and support for people who smoke or use e-cigarettes, a reduction in e-cigarette use and smoking prevalence, and reduction of adverse effects of e-cigarette use, including dependency. Quitting smoking leads to improvements in physical and mental health and is associated with reduced burden on the health of individuals and on the health system.
Government Response – ACT Audit Office Report – Management of Key Contracts under A Step Up For Our Kids
Minute Number: 24/367/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Children, Youth and Family Services table the ACT Government Response to the ACT Auditor-General’s Performance Audit Report – Management of key contracts under A Step Up For Our Kids in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The Government response to the ACT Auditor-General’s recommendations outlines work underway to strengthen the performance and accountability of contracted service providers to deliver services under the Next Steps strategy. This work will have a positive impact on the wellbeing domains of Safety, Identity and belonging, and Governance and institutions by strengthening accountability of government and non-government partners to ensure services are culturally appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
Government Response – Petition 002-24 and 016-24 Richardson shops
Minute Number: 24/405/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Government Response to Petitions 002-24 and 016-24 regarding Richardson shops be provided to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly for tabling.
The petitions relate to the operation of a supermarket at Richardson shops, Block 4 Section 454 Richardson. The subject site is currently vacant and has been for a number of years. It was concluded that there are no direct impacts from decisions relating to this paper. However, there are impacts identified by residents in the petition. The impact is localised to residents surrounding Richardson shops. There are limited options for ACT Government to intervene and the utilisation of the site sits predominantly with the leaseholder, however Government will explore options to release blocks of land in the nearby area to increase activity at the shops and improve the surrounding realm.
Ministerial Statement – ACT Eating Disorders Position Statement – 2024 Update
Minute Number: 24/255/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Mental Health deliver the Ministerial Statement for the 2024 update on the ACT Eating Disorders Position Statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
It is anticipated that the impact of providing the 2024 update on the ACT Eating Disorders Position Statement will be to provide the ACT community with assurance of the improved access to services for eating disorders, help raise awareness of eating disorders and reduce stigma associated to promote prevention and intervention for people experiencing an eating disorder or disordered eating.
Ministerial Statement – Chief Minister Trade Mission to India and Singapore, February 2024
Minute Number: 24/430/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Chief Minister table the Ministerial Statement – Chief Minister Trade Mission to India and Singapore, February 2024 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
There is currently limited availability of trade and investment data at the Territory level. The ACT is actively working with the Commonwealth and other States and Territories to improve data availability to assist with monitoring and evaluation of trade and investment programs. Performance is currently evaluated on an outcomes basis depending on the focus of each trade mission. For the India-Singapore trade mission, success will be measured based on establishing direct Canberra-India flights in the next 1-5 years, growth of tourism and business to business trade, tertiary education engagement, and improved dialogue between the ACT and respective Governments.
Review of the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Cannabis Use) Amendment Act 2019
Minute Number: 24/254/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Review of the Operation of the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Cannabis Use) Amendment Act 2019 being tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The report on the Review of the operation of the Drugs of Dependence (Personal Cannabis Use) Amendment Act 2019 (Cannabis Act) is not expected to have wellbeing impacts beyond supporting the reforms under the Cannabis Act to continue. The report identifies that the Cannabis Act had an overall positive impact on the wellbeing domain of Health by contributing to the continued harm minimisation approach in relation to the personal use of cannabis in the ACT.
Condolence Motion – Bill Wood AM
Minute Number: 24/385/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the delivery in the ACT Legislative Assembly of a motion of condolence for Mr Bill Wood AM.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Year 2 – Annual Statement
Minute Number: 24/422/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence deliver the 2024 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Annual Statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Delivering the 2024 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Annual Statement supports the safety wellbeing domain, by signalling to the ACT community that sexual 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.
Update to the Assembly Resolution of 12 October 2022 regarding inclusive access to swimming facilities
Minute Number: 24/446/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Sports and Recreation provide an update to the ACT Legislative Assembly on the Assembly Resolution of 12 October 2022 regarding inclusive access to swimming facilities.
The proposal will have an ongoing positive impact in the wellbeing domain of Social Connection by facilitating inclusive swimming options.
Government Response to Assembly Resolution of 24 October 2023 – Casey Retail Precinct – Traffic and Transport Issues
Minute Number: 24/136/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for City Services table a report and present a tabling statement in the ACT Legislative Assembly to respond to the Assembly Resolution of 24 October 2023 regarding Casey retail precinct – traffic and transport issues.
This initiative aligns with the ACT Transport Strategy and ACT Climate Strategy and supports the Active Travel Plan 2024-30 by providing a safer, more accessible and connected city that supports Canberrans to make active, healthy and sustainable transport choices.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointment:
- Work Health and Safety Council Acting Member Appointment (Minute Number: 24/458/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.