Cabinet decision summary for the week of 13 October 2025

Cabinet date: 16 October 2025

Government position - Civil Law (Wrongs) (Organisational Child Abuse Liability) Amendment Bill 2025

Minute Number: 25/586/CAB

Cabinet agreed a Government position on the Civil Law (Wrongs) (Organisational Child Abuse Liability) Amendment Bill 2025.

The Government’s position on the Civil Law (Wrongs) (Organisational Child Abuse Liability) Amendment Bill 2025 will have a positive wellbeing impact on governance and institutions.

Establishing Digital Canberra

Minute Number: 25/421/CAB

Cabinet agreed the final establishment processes, model and parameters for Digital Canberra.

The establishment of an agreed model for Digital Canberra will have positive wellbeing impacts across the Governance and institutions domain.

Missing Middle Housing Reform - Revised DPA and Consultation Report

Minute Number: 25/516/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the revised policy positions for the Missing Middle Housing Reforms and noted the process for the Territory Planning Authority progressing the revised draft Major Plan Amendment 04.

The proposed missing middle housing reforms will have broad positive impacts across several wellbeing domains including Housing and home, Economy, Environment and climate and Access and connectivity.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2) - Agreement to Introduce

Minute Number: 25/358/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the introduction of the Assisted Reproductive Technology Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2) in the Legislative Assembly, which revises parental access to the ACT donor register under the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024. The Bill will also raise the general age for donor conceived persons accessing identifying donor information via the donor register from 16 to 18 years, with earlier access allowed if the person is assessed by a counsellor. The Bill will also make minor technical and other editorial amendments.

The Assisted Reproductive Technology Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2) will positively impact wellbeing primarily through the Health domain. Amending the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024 as proposed is anticipated to positively impact the health and wellbeing of ART consumers by supporting supply of gametes for ACT based ART treatments. These amendments will alleviate concerns for individuals and couples undergoing ART, by addressing potential barriers affecting access to ART services.

Policy Approval was agreed by Cabinet on 18 June 2025 (Minute Number: 25/289 Assisted Reproductive Technology Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2) – Policy Approval)

Agreement to Introduce - Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Bill 2025

Minute Number: 25/056/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the Minister for Health present the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Amendment Bill 2025 in the ACT Legislative Assembly, to provide for modern and accountable enforcement capabilities against prohibited tobacco products and illicit tobacco. Cabinet also agreed to the preparation of a further Bill to respond to and deter the illicit tobacco trade in the ACT.

Increased enforcement of prohibited smoking products, including vaping goods, supports the health, education, and governance and institutions domains under the ACT Wellbeing Framework. Reducing the availability of illegal smoking products has the potential to improve short and long-term public health outcomes, provides authorised officers with more appropriate enforcement options, as well as reduces environmental contamination.

Agreement to Introduce - Liquor Amendment Bill 2025

Minute Number: 25/096/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Attorney-General introducing the Liquor Amendment Bill 2025 in the Legislative Assembly, which will amend the Liquor Act 2010 and Liquor Regulation 2010 to establish a legislative framework to regulate same-day delivery of liquor in the ACT, provide the Commissioner for Fair Trading with the power to cancel liquor licences, and introduce requirements for a new type of Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training for same-day delivery of liquor.

The Bill also proposes other minor and technical amendments to enhance the administration and efficacy of liquor regulation. It is expected that the primary wellbeing impact of the Bill will affect the health domain, and the secondary wellbeing impacts will affect the safety and economy domains. The primary impact of the Bill will be to reduce the risk of alcohol-related harms that may arise from same-day alcohol deliveries in the ACT. Additionally, the Bill will impact the community at large, with benefits to women, children, and people vulnerable to or recovering from alcohol-use disorder.

Policy Approval was agreed by Cabinet on 28 May 2025 (Minute Number: 25/095/CAB Liquor Amendment Bill 2025 - Policy Approval)

Healthy Waterways Plan for Lake Tuggeranong

Minute Number: 25/222/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the release of the draft Healthy Waterways Plan for Lake Tuggeranong for public consultation. The draft Plan describes current knowledge about what’s causing blue-green algal blooms in Lake Tuggeranong, and, using modelling of catchment hydrology and mitigation costs, presents management options for addressing them.

Lake Tuggeranong’s frequent blue-green algal blooms have negative visual and smell impacts, present health risks, and prevent people from recreating in and around the lake. Using current scientific understanding of what’s causing Lake Tuggeranong’s algal blooms, the draft Plan presents a ten-year vision to improve water quality in the catchment to reduce the frequency and severity of blooms. This will have positive wellbeing benefits for the Tuggeranong community through reducing health risks, providing access to blue-green space, and enhancing cultural and biodiversity values.

Government Response to Legislative Assembly Resolution of 6 May 2025 - Artificial Grasses - Alternatives and transition from its use

Minute Number: 25/400/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water will deliver a Ministerial Statement in response to the 6 May 2025 Assembly Resolution on Artificial Grass and alternatives and transition away from its use.

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

Estimates 2025-26 - Select Committee - Establishment - Assembly Resolution of 15 May 2025 - Government Response

Minute Number: 25/532/CAB

Cabinet agreed the proposed response arising from the Legislative Assembly Resolution of 15 May 2015.

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

FTE Management Policy

Minute Number: 25/396/CAB

Cabinet agreed to consult on a FTE management policy for the ACT Public Sector.

Consultation on a FTE management policy is expected to positively impact the governance and institutions domain by ensuring a rigorous methodology is applied to the administration of the ACT Public Sector and use of public resources.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

• Appointment of the ACT Public School System Resourcing Review Expert Panel Minute Number: 25/536/CAB

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

Cabinet date 17 October 2025

Omnibus Federation Funding Agreements (FFAs) - Health – October 2025

Minute Number: 25/448/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Health sign the Federation Funding Agreements for Communicable diseases of public health concern - Access to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for people who are not eligible for Medicare, Essential Vaccines, Public Dental Services for Adults and Stillbirth Autopsies and Investigations. Cabinet also agreed the Minister for Health finalise the negotiation and execution of the Federation Funding Agreement for Smoking and Vaping Cessation Activities, in consultation with the Chief Minister.

The Federation Funding Agreements will support the health and wellbeing of Canberrans, including by reducing the rates of HIV infection, supporting the effective delivery of vaccines to minimise the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases, improving access to oral health services, increasing perinatal loss workforce and increasing access to smoking and vaping cessations services.

Response to Petition E-PET-038-25 – Repeal of Health Levy from ACT 2025-26 Budget

Minute Number: 25/582/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the Treasurer provide the response to petition E-PET-038-25 to the Clerk of the Assembly.

Response is informational and will have no wellbeing impact.

Direct Sale part Block 12 Section 3 Parkes to University of New South Wales

Minute Number: 25/528/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has met the eligibility criteria in accordance with the Planning (General) Regulation 2023 – section 47 ‘Direct Sale criteria for UNSW campus land for University of NSW—Act, s 266 (1) (a) (i)’ and is now eligible to be granted a lease by direct sale for part Block 12 Section 3 Pakes. Further Cabinet authorised the Chief Minister and the Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development to determine eligibility for direct sale of future stages of the UNSW development.

The establishment of the proposed UNSW Canberra City campus has the potential to deliver significant wellbeing benefits for all Canberrans, particularly through increased economic and educational opportunities. The UNSW Canberra City campus will further diversify the ACT economy through increased student numbers, research investment and the creation of additional jobs. The new campus is expected to generate 3,500 jobs; attract 6,000 local, national and international students to the Territory; and bring up to $3 billion in economic benefit for the ACT economy. The direct sale of part Block 12 Section 3 Parkes facilitates these benefits.

ACT and Region Catchment Management Coordination Group Annual Report 2024-25

Minute Number: 25/506/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the tabling of the ACT and Region Catchment Management Coordination Group Annual Report 2024-25 and the associated Minister’s Statement in the Legislative Assembly.

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

Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021 - 2031 - National Child and Family Investment Strategy

Minute Number: 25/507/CAB

Cabinet agreed to endorse the National Child and Family Investment Strategy, subject to future information being presented on resourcing requirements.

The ACT Government’s endorsement of the National Child and Family Investment Strategy will support positive impacts for the ACT community across the wellbeing domain of identity and belonging.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

• Appointment of Employer Representative to the ACT Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Authority (TFA) Board Minute Number: 25/393/CAB

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