Cabinet decision summary for the week of 1 September 2025

Cabinet date: 1 September 2025

Ministerial Statement on Thriving Kids, Foundational Supports and the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Minute Number: 25/518/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services making a Ministerial Statement in response to the Commonwealth’s announcement of the Thriving Kids program and broader reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The ministerial statement on ACT Government’s position in relation to the Thriving Kids announcement is expected to have positive wellbeing impacts on children with disability, their carers and families. Thriving Kids is expected to have positive wellbeing impacts in the health domain through ensuring children get the best start in life. The Thriving Kids program is also expected to have positive wellbeing impacts in the education and life-long learning and access and connectivity domains by ensuring access to improved early intervention supports and better outcomes for children. The ministerial statement will provide clarity and assurances around the ACT Governments’ commitment to delivering on the intent of foundational supports through the Thriving Kids program following its announcement, and to realising the associated positive wellbeing benefits this will entail.

Whole of Government Strategic Prioritisation Framework

Minute Number: 25/503/CAB

Cabinet agreed tools and guidance to support agencies with prioritisation assessments of activities and reporting back to the Expenditure Review Committee on the outcome.

Prioritisation will have a positive impact on the wellbeing domain of Governance and Institutions by aligning effort to current Government objectives, reducing workload and resource intensity on lower priority activities and improving financial sustainability of Government activities.

Government Response - Big Splash - Response to Assembly Resolution of 13 May 2025

Minute Number: 25/502/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the response to Assembly Resolution of 13 May 2025 regarding Big Splash water park be provided to the Clerk of the Assembly for tabling in the ACT Legislative Assembly

The Assembly Resolution relates to the operation of and future development at Big Splash water park which is located at Block 1 Section 53 Macquarie. The subject facility is currently closed to the public and has been since 2024. It was concluded that there are no direct impacts from decisions relating to this paper. However, there are impacts identified for the users of the facility and the lessee. The impact is localised to residents surrounding the facility and other users within the area. The ACT Government are currently engaging with the lessee to assist in meeting their obligations as required under the existing Crown lease.

National Information Sharing Framework and Co-location Program - Federation Funding Agreement 2025-28

Minute Number: 25/479/CAB

The Attorney-General was authorised to endorse the proposed expansion to the National Strategic Framework for Information Sharing between the Family Law and Family Violence and Child Protection Systems and the extension of Commonwealth funding to ACT agencies to implement the National Framework to 30 June 2028.

This proposal is anticipated to have a positive wellbeing impact in the governance and institutions and safety domains by supporting the continued implementation of the National Framework and Co-location Program, facilitating appropriate and timely information sharing between the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and ACT agencies to promote access to justice and the best outcomes for at-risk children and young people.

Disaster Assistance Guidelines

Minute Number: 25/419/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the measures outlined in the Disaster Assistance Guidelines (DAGs) can be stood up following an emergency as deemed appropriate by relevant ACT Government Executive.

The Disaster Assistance Guidelines (DAGs) will provide a positive impact on the wellbeing of all Canberrans by providing supports in a timely manner following an emergency to assist them to meet their essential needs and recover from the disaster.

Government Response to Coercive Control Assembly Motion

Minute Number: 25/353/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence tabling the Government Response to the Assembly Motion on criminalisation of coercive control passed by the Legislative Assembly in March 2025.

The Wellbeing Impact Assessment identified the proposed Government Response is likely to have a positive impact in the Safety and Governance and Institutions wellbeing domains by outlining the approach that the ACT Government will take in responding to the coercive control Assembly Motion.

Strategic Bushfire Management Plan Version 5

Minute Number: 25/310/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services releasing the Strategic Bushfire Management Plan Version 5 (SBMPv5) as a final.

The Strategic Bushfire Management Plan (SBMP) is produced every five years and has been in place since 2004, following the tragic bushfires of summer 2003. That event was formative in the ACT history of bushfires. SBMPv5 provides strategic action that will benefit the ACT community and the environment in bushfire preparedness, detection and response. The SBMPv5 considers climate change and adaptation, research, technology, community resilience and cultural factors to guide the next five years of bushfire management in the ACT.

Federation Funding Agreement - National Support and Intervention Program

Minute Number: 25/239/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services sign the Federation Funding Agreement under the National Support and Intervention Program.

The implementation of the work under this FFA will have a positive impact on the safety wellbeing indicator through its whole-of-community intervention activities aimed at reducing the risk that violence is used to pursue violent extremist beliefs. The FFA will also work embed strong governance through its commitment between the Commonwealth and the ACT Government to deliver responsible, reliable and impactful programs to the community.

Improving the funding model for three-year-old preschool programs

Minute Number: 25/072/CAB

Cabinet agreed the proposed approach to improve the way the funding is utilised for the targeted and universal three-year-old preschool programs.

The main wellbeing impact of this submission is education and life-long learning. There is increasingly strong evidence that demonstrates the positive impact of early years learning on outcomes later in life. While early childhood experiences do not entirely dictate future trajectories, they do create the foundations for all future learning, health, and wellbeing.

Assembly Amendments to Appropriation Bill 2025-2026

Minute Number: 25/519/CAB

Cabinet agreed to move amendments to the Appropriation Bill 2025-2026.

In accordance with the ACT Cabinet Handbook, a Wellbeing Impact Assessment is not required for this item.

Multi-Directorate panel establishment and management cost recovery

Minute Number: 25/363/CAB

Cabinet agreed to a multi-directorate panel establishment and management cost recovery model.

This submission has a positive impact in the domain of Governance and Institutions by ensuring that new panels are available for use by ACT Government Directorates and entities resulting inconsistent governance processes and greater efficiency in sourcing identified goods and services.

Ministerial statement - Government response - Assembly Resolution of 18 March 2025 - Out of hours care for preschool students—Access—Improvement

Minute Number: 25/487/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Education and Early Childhood tabling the Ministerial Statement out of hours care for preschool students in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The main wellbeing impacts of this submission are education and life-long learning.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

• Appointment to the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) Minute Number: 25/457/CAB

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