10 March 2025

Cabinet decision summary for the week of 10 March 2025

Cabinet date: 12 March 2025

Heritage and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Minute Number: 25/156/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development presenting the Heritage and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 to the Legislative Assembly.

The Heritage and Planning Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 is an omnibus bill that will not have a significant impact on wellbeing.

Veterinary Practice Amendment Bill 2025

Minute Number: 25/124/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the introduction of the Veterinary Practice Amendment Bill 2025 (the Bill) to deliver a first tranche of legislative amendments to the Act following its review in 2024.

The Bill predominantly addresses the Governance and Institutions domain. The proposed amendments will:

(a) Amend the objects of the Act to ensure that they are aligned with the Australian Veterinary Association’s recommended key principles for veterinary practice acts in Australia;

(b) Amend requirements relating to declaring new entities to be professional bodies and the removing the requirement to consult before making regulations;

(c) Include a regulation making power that would allow regulations to introduce conditions or restrictions on the practice of veterinary science to protect the welfare of animals;

(d) Introduce a new provision requiring a registered veterinary practitioner to hold a suitable third-party indemnity insurance policy; and

(e) Other minor and technical amendments, including about the order of functions performed by the Veterinary Practitioners Board to prioritise education, and clarify language around who can attend meetings of the board.

Government Response to the Safer Families Levy Audit Report

Minute Number: 25/85/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the ACT Government Response to the ACT Auditor-General’s Performance Audit Report- Safer Families Levy to table in the ACT Legislative Assembly. Cabinet agreed to implementation of Safer Families Levy Principles from the 2025-26 financial year.

The Government response to the Auditor-General’s Report and implementation of the Safer Families Levy Principles will positively impact the governance and institutions and safety wellbeing domains. Many Canberrans contribute directly to the Safer Families Levy (the Levy) through paying their rates bills. By improving the management of Levy funds and providing more public information about the Levy, community trust in government should increase if people can see that government is using the funds to respond effectively to domestic, family, and sexual violence. These measures will also support improved safety of people in the ACT by improving the management of Levy funds that are used to prevent, address and respond to the safety risks caused by domestic, family, and sexual violence and ensure alignment with the original intent of the Levy. There are no anticipated negative wellbeing impacts.

ACT Government Submission to the Inquiry into insurance costs in the ACT

Minute Number: 25/111/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the ACT Government Submission to the Standing Committee on Economics, Industry and Recreation Inquiry into insurance costs in the ACT.

Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointment:

• ACT Health System Council Appointments: Australian National University and University of Canberra Representative/s (Minute Number: 25/84/CAB)

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