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.

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.