24 February 2025
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 24 February 2025
Cabinet date: 25 February 2025
Cemeteries and Crematoria Fee Instrument 2025
Minute Number: 25/104/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the revised Cemeteries and Crematoria Fee Instrument 2025.
The proposed fees will have a positive wellbeing impact on the community by providing a reduction of burial costs between 6-8% and by providing a range of products and environs to meet diverse cultural and religious requirements of the Canberra community.
Agreement to Introduce - Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Minute Number: 25/070/CAB
Cabinet agreed to introduce the Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 1) (the Bill) in the ACT Legislative Assembly. The Bill clarifies existing police powers and facilitates a number of changes relating to the increase in the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
The Bill will have positive wellbeing impacts in the Governance and Institutions and Safety domains by clarifying police stop, search and detain powers in relation to children and young people under the minimum age of criminal responsibility, ensuring the equitable treatment of people with interstate youth convictions at sentencing, and progressing other minor amendments to address ambiguities in the legislative framework in relation to raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
Emergency Solar Backstop Capability
Minute Number: 24/616/CAB
Cabinet agreed to a public consultation process for emergency backstop capability, including the release of a consultation paper seeking community and industry feedback.
The proposal will enhance wellbeing by supporting the development of the government frameworks necessary to manage high levels of surplus solar electricity to maintain a stable reliable electricity grid. The proposal will also deliver educational and democratic governance benefits through public consultation.
Standing Committee on Environment, Planning, Transport and City Services - Government Submission - Inquiry into the procurement and delivery of MyWay+
Minute Number: 24/602/CAB
Cabinet agreed a Government Submission to the Standing Committee on Environment, Planning, Transport and City Services Inquiry into the procurement and delivery of MyWay+.
The ACT Government submission to the Inquiry, continuing its open and transparent government commitment aligns with the Governance and Institutions domain.
Government Response to Petitions E-PET 044-24 & E-PET-045-24 - Mawson Place Pedestrian Crossing
Minute Number: 24/588/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for City and Government Services provide the response to petitions E-PET 044-24 and E-PET-45-24 regarding the installation of a pedestrian crossing in Mawson to the Clerk of the Assembly.
The ACT Government takes road safety and residents’ amenity seriously and encourages all road users to share responsibility for road safety.
Omnibus Federation Funding Agreements - Health - February 2025
Minute Number: 25/050/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Health sign the Federation Funding Agreements for Lymphoedema Garments and Allied Health Therapy Programs, Strengthening Medicare -Supporting Older Australians: Long Stay Older Patient avoidance initiatives, Comprehensive Palliative Care in Aged Care, National Bowel Cancer Screening Program Participant Follow-Up Function, Expanding Access to Cervical Screening Services, and Newborn Bloodspot Screening Expansion (amended).
The Federation Funding Agreements will support the health and wellbeing of Canberrans, including by providing access to compression garments for eligible patients and training for allied health professionals, better care for people with dementia, reducing pressure on hospitals by avoiding hospital admissions, supporting palliative care, increasing the number of people presenting for colonoscopies, supporting the expansion of newborn bloodspot screening programs and increasing the uptake of cervical screening program participation.
National Planning Reform Blueprint – Third progress report for the ACT
Minute Number: 24/599/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the National Planning Reform Blueprint progress report and agreed that the Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development provide the reporting to the Commonwealth Government.
The progress report and input is expected to have a positive impact on the wellbeing domain of Housing and Home. The Blueprint aims, through planning (and non-planning) related mechanisms, to improve housing affordability and increase the supply of social and affordable housing. Measures include meeting housing supply targets, increasing densities in infill areas, and streamlining and improving approval pathways.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Appointment – Public Sector Workers Compensation Commissioner (Minute Number: 25/142/CAB)
- Cemeteries and Crematoria Authority Governing Board Appointments 2025 (Minute Number: 24/607/CAB)
- Animal Welfare Advisory Committee Appointment 2025 - Category D & I (Minute Number: 24/606/CAB)
- Liquor Advisory Board Appointments (Minute Number: 24/605/CAB)
- Appointments to the Secure Local Jobs Code Advisory Council (Minute Number: 24/542/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.
Cabinet date: 2 March 2025
ACT Government position - Silica National Strategic Plan
Minute Number: 24/554/CAB
The ACT Government agreed to endorse the Silica National Strategic Plan developed by the Asbestos and Silica Safety and Eradication Agency.
The ACT Government continues to address risks of respirable crystalline silica and improve workplace safety through endorsement of the Silica National Strategic Plan.
Federation Funding Agreement for the Social Housing Energy Performance Agreement Expansion
Minute Number: 25/135/CAB
Cabinet agreed the ACT Government enter into an arrangement with the Australian Government under the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI) expansion.
The ACT’s implementation of the Australian Government’s Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative expansion provides positive wellbeing impacts across the Housing and Home, Environment and Climate and Living Standards wellbeing domains.
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- ACT Remuneration Tribunal Chair Reappointment Minute Number: 25/126/CAB
- Appointment to the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) Minute Number: 25/108/CAB
- Appointment – Light Rail Project Board Chair Minute Number: 25/058/CAB
- Appointment of Official Visitors (2) for the purposes of the Disability Services Act 1991. Minute Number: 25/044/CAB
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.