Cabinet decision summary for the week of 25 August 2025

Cabinet date: 26 August 2025

Canberra Business Development Fund - Negotiation Plan

Minute Number: 25/510/ERC

The Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet agreed commercial arrangements for the Canberra Business Development Fund.

The proposal has a moderate impact to the Governance and Institutions Domain as it promotes responsible, and fair, government decision-making that aims to protect Canberran’s wellbeing through good governance and strong institutions.

Cabinet date: 27 August 2025

Northside Hospital Transition – final negotiated settlement outcome

Minute Number: 25/509/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the final Territory offer (Offer) being issued to Calvary Health Care ACT (and related Calvary entities) in relation to the settlement negotiations following the acquisition of public hospital lands under the Health Infrastructure Enabling Act 2023.

Investment in health infrastructure will provide for Canberra’s growing community with access to services in modern and sustainable health settings.

Government Response - Assembly resolution of 10 April 2025 - School safety order laws - Proposed

Minute Number: 25/486/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the proposed Government Response - Assembly resolution of 10 April 2025 - School safety order laws - Proposed.

The Government response has a positive impact in the domains of, education and life-long learning and safety, particularly for educators and families.

Government response to Petition (027-25) – Keeping the Point Hut dog exercise area open to the public as an approved off-leash facility

Minute Number: 25/408/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the Minister for City and Government Services provide the Government response to ePetition 027-25 to the Clerk of the Assembly.

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

Government Response - Molonglo Valley - Road Network - Traffic Congestion Alleviation

Minute Number: 25/311/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Government Response to Assembly Resolution of 6 March 2025 - Molonglo Valley - Road Network - Traffic Congestion Alleviation.

The ACT Government continues to invest in safer, more efficient and better-connected transport across Canberra. This includes key infrastructure projects that will support the Molonglo Valley. These investments will help ease congestion, improve road safety, support future growth, encourage public transport and active travel and create jobs across the region; and
The ACT Government will continue to advocate for commonwealth investment into the future. This includes seeking co-investment to sustain a fit-for-purpose and well-maintained nationally significant transport network to support ACT’s growing population, which is vitally important for Canberra and the broader region.

June Quarter Report, 2024-25 Whole of Government Capital Works Program

Minute Number: 25/019/ERC

The Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet agreed to table the 2024-25 Capital Works Program Progress Report Year-to-date Performance as at 30 June 2025 to the ACT Legislative Assembly, as required under section 30F of the Financial Management Act 1996.

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

Government Responses – Standing Committee’s (LA, SP, PAA, EIR, EPTCS) Reports – Inquiries into Annual and Financial Reports 2023-2024

Minute Number: 25/333/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the proposed Government Responses to the following Standing Committee Reports into the Inquiry into Annual and Financial Reports 2023-24: a. Standing Committee on Legal Affairs – Report 1; b. Standing Committee on Social Policy – Report 1; c. Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Administration – Report 2 ; d. Standing Committee on Economics, Industry and Recreation – Report 1; and e. Standing Committee on Environment, Planning, Transport and City Services – Report 2.

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

ACT Disability Strategy- First Action Plan Annual Report

Minute Number: 25/188/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the ACT Disability Strategy - First Action Plan Annual Report.

The ACT Disability Strategy First Action Plan 2024-2026 –First Annual Progress Report contributes to the wellbeing of people with disability in the ACT, primarily through the governance and institutions domain and has cross-cutting impacts across all domains of the ACT Wellbeing Framework. The Strategy and Action Plan primarily impacts Canberrans living with disability and may have secondary impacts for carers and family.

Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2) – Combined Pass

Minute Number: 25/054/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the introduction of the Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2) in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2) has a primary positive wellbeing impact on the Governance and Institutions domain.

COMBINED PASS – Payroll Tax Amendment Bill 2025

Minute Number: 25/505/CAB

Cabinet agreed to introduce the Payroll Tax Amendment Bill 2025 to the Legislative Assembly. The proposed Bill amends the Payroll Tax Act 2011 to facilitate a split period calculation method and a new tax rate within the 2025-26 financial year.

The submission supports the ACT economy by promoting the effective and efficient operation and integrity of the ACT tax system.

Payroll tax for firms with national wages between $50 million and $150 million

Minute Number: 25/504/CAB

Cabinet agreed that from 1 July 2026, the payroll tax rates for firms with annual national wages between $50 million and $100 million and between $100 million and $150 million would be 7.35 per cent and 7.85 per cent, respectively. Cabinet clarified the tax rate for universities with an ACT campus would be no higher than 6.85 per cent.

The direct impact of this decision will be on firms with annual national wages between $50 million and $150 million.

Government position on the Private Members Bill – Public Sector (Closing the Gap) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Minute Number: 25/466/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the proposed Government position on the Public Sector (Closing the Gap) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 to support the Bill with amendments.

The proposal seeks to positively impact the development of fit for purpose legislative amendments to the laws underpinning the Governance and Institutions of the ACT Public Sector (ACTPS), leading to improved experiences of cultural safety by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public servants, clients and consumers of Government services.

CO-SPONSORED Government Submission to the Standing Committee Inquiry into Auditor-General Reports 10/2024: Safer Families Levy and 13/2024: Invoicing and Payment for Digital Health Record Hosting Services

Minute Number: 25/462/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Government Submissions to the Inquiry into Auditor-General Performance Audit Reports 10/2024: Safer Families Levy and 13/2024: Invoicing and Payment for Digital Health Record Hosting Services being submitted to the inquiry.

The Government submissions to the Inquiry will positively impact the governance and institutions and safety wellbeing domains. Addressing the recommendations in the Auditor General’s reports will strengthen processes to ensure the effective and efficient use of public monies. The Government submissions to the Inquiry support the ACT Government’s commitment to transparency in Safer Families Levy expenditure and progress to implement recommendations from the Auditor-General’s Performance Audit Report of the Safer Families Levy.

Workplace Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2) – Agreement to Introduce

Minute Number: 25/360/CAB

Cabinet agreed to introduction of the Workplace Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2) in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The Workplace Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2) will have positive impacts with the safety wellbeing domain by improving the safety of workers across various sectors of the ACT. Minor positive impacts will also engage the governance and institutions domain by strengthening and streamlining government processes and frameworks.

Policy Approval was agreed by Cabinet on 09/07/2025 (Minute Number: 25/359/CAB Workplace Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2) – Policy Approval)

ACT Housing Strategy – Implementation Plan

Minute Number: 25/308/CAB

Cabinet agreed for the Minister for Homes, Homelessness and New Suburbs to update the ACT Housing Strategy Implementation Plan, undertake targeted consultation with key external stakeholders on the draft update, and publish the final version on the ACT Government website.

The ACT Housing Strategy Implementation Plan Update is designed to have a broad and positive impact on community wellbeing by increasing access to safe, secure, and affordable housing. By supporting diverse housing options, promoting inclusive neighbourhoods, and enabling sustainable growth, the Strategy helps improve quality of life, reduce housing stress, and foster stronger, more resilient communities across Canberra. Updating the Implementation Plan will ensure the ACT Government is focusing on the highest priority needs of the community.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

• Appointments to the Registration Standards Advisory Board 2025 Minute Number: 25/456/CAB
• ACT Gene Technology Advisory Council Member Appointments Minute Number: 25/455/CAB
• Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Board appointments (Minute Number: 25/391/CAB)
• Victims Advisory Board – appointment of several members (Minute Number: 25/298/CAB)

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