26 May 2025
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 26 May 2025
Cabinet date: 27 May 2025
Whole of Government cash management measures, June 2025
Minute Number: 25/139/ERC
ERC considered and agreed cash management measures and mitigation strategies implemented by Directorates.
In accordance with the ACT Cabinet Handbook, a Wellbeing Impact Assessment is not required for this item.
Cabinet date: 28 May 2025
ACT legislation – Keeping the technical amendments program fit for purpose
Minute Number: 25/181/CAB
Cabinet agreed to a revised technical amendments program for non-controversial minor or technical amendments and repeals of ACT legislation, to ensure the program remains fit for purpose in maintaining the ACT statute book.
The technical amendments program for ACT legislation has positive wellbeing impacts in the governance and institutions domain as, by continuing to make ACT legislation simpler, more coherent and more accessible, trust in government is increased and access to justice enhanced.
Determining a government position on appropriateness of a population adjustment to community sector government contracts
Minute Number: 25/250/CAB
Government agrees in the absence of other measures, applying a population adjustment alongside indexation is one way to amend community sector contracts to adjust for service demand, but isn’t the only or necessarily most appropriate tool available to government to achieve this objective. Government will further consider options to respond to increased service demand and finalise the broader sector sustainability project.
Appropriately adjusting government funded services, including those provided by community sector organisations, influences the wellbeing of Canberrans across all domains.
Government Submission to Assembly Inquiry – Human Rights (Housing) Amendment Bill 2025
Minute Number: 25/318/CAB
Cabinet agreed to make a Government Submission to the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs’ Inquiry into the Private Members Bill Human Rights (Housing) Amendment Bill 2025.
The Government’s submission to the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs’ Inquiry into the Private Members Bill Human Rights (Housing) Amendment Bill 2025 has minor positive wellbeing impacts on the housing as well as governance and institutions domains.
Government Response - E-PET-049-24 and PET-010-25 - Bring Back Big Splash
Minute Number: 25/208/CAB
Cabinet agreed responses to petitions E-PET-049-24 and PET-010-25 regarding Big Splash water park be provided to the Clerk of the Assembly for tabling in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The petitions relate to the operation of Big Splash water park, Block 1 Section 53 Macquarie. The subject facility is currently closed to the public and has been for a number of months. There are no direct wellbeing impacts from decisions relating to this decision. However, there are impacts identified by residents in the petition. The impact is localised to residents surrounding the facility and other users within the area. There are limited options for ACT Government to intervene and the utilisation of the site sits predominantly with the leaseholder.
ACT Housing Strategy – Year 6 Report Card
Minute Number: 25/217/CAB
Cabinet agreed that the Minister for Homes and New Suburbs table and publish the ACT Housing Strategy Year 6 Report Card.
The Year 6 Report Card provides an update for the community on progress made in implementing the ACT Housing Strategy.
2025 Enterprise Agreement Bargaining Approach
Minute Number: 25/241/CAB
Cabinet agreed to an approach to the 2025 ACT Public Service enterprise agreement bargaining process.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
The ACT Government Response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
Minute Number: 25/201/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the ACT Government supporting the Commonwealth to implement recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide requiring collaboration between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, subject to appropriate resourcing.
Responding to the recommendations of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is expected to have wide-ranging wellbeing impacts. The primary wellbeing impact relates to the Governance and Institutions domain, particularly the trust in government sub-domain, by increasing transparency around the ACT Government’s commitment to engaging with the Commonwealth and states and territories to respond to the findings of the Royal Commission and support the implementation of agreed recommendations by ACT Cabinet. The implementation of agreed recommendations more broadly is expected to have positive wellbeing impacts on the health domain and access and connectivity domain, which will be achieved through engagement with the Commonwealth and states and territories to support both national and local level reform outcomes.
2025 Bus Weekend Uplift
Minute Number: 25/225/CAB
Cabinet agreed to Transport Canberra uplifting the Sunday timetable on Sunday in Term 3, 2025; and note other considerations presented in regard to associated costs to operate the Sunday timetable as well as the network in the longer term. This includes funding to uplift Sunday services in 2025-26 including associated delivery costs to ensure the government’s agenda for a compact, sustainable and vibrant city is met.
Enhancing bus service frequencies introducing new Rapid routes will significantly impact the wellbeing domain of access and connectivity. By improving public transport accessibility, individuals will experience increased convenience and reduced travel times, positively affecting their daily lives and overall satisfaction. Enhanced connectivity will facilitate better access to employment, education, and essential services, contributing to economic growth and community development.
Australian Sports Commission Agreements
Minute Number: 25/284/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the execution of funding agreements with the Australian Sports Commission to support the establishment of a Paralympic Sport Unit within the ACT Academy of Sport and to support the roll out of the national Our Connection to Country project through the ACT Academy of Sport.
Establishing a partnership with the Australian Sports Commission and Paralympics Australia to develop a Paralympic Sport Unit at the ACT Academy of Sport is expected to have wellbeing impacts on access and connectivity and the health of Canberrans through enhanced opportunity for people with a disability to be involved in sport, potentially at a high-performance level. The funding provision will assist to address existing barriers to enable Para athletes to progress in sport through enhanced coaching knowledge, competition access, and appropriate equipment and training environments. Additionally, integrating the Our Connection to Country project will foster cultural awareness and inclusivity, promoting a greater sense of belonging and a deeper understanding and respect for Indigenous heritage. This holistic approach not only supports physical health but also strengthens community bonds and enriches the overall sporting experience for all participants.
ACT Tax Expenditure Statement 2023-24
Minute Number: 25/023/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the public release of the ACT Tax Expenditure Statement 2023-24 and that the Chief Minister and the Treasurer may agree the timing and method of publishing the ACT Tax Expenditure Statement 2023-24, including as part of the 2025-26 Budget papers.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Budget pre-announcements process
Minute Number: 25/332/CAB
Cabinet considered and agreed to the 2025-26 Budget pre-announcements processes.
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.
Bus Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Minute Number: 25/160/CAB
Cabinet agreed to commence drafting of amendments to address occupational violence faced by bus drivers through the introduction of move on powers at bus stops.
The Submission has positive impacts to the Safety wellbeing domain. Providing bus drivers and authorised people with additional move on powers when faced with the threat of harassment or assault will contribute to a safer public transport environment for workers and passengers. The amendments will have an impact on Access and Connectivity by potentially limiting use of the public transport network for people who endanger others, while also improving the safety of others using the public transport network.
Amendments to the Government Procurement Act 2001 - policy approval
Minute Number: 25/285
Cabinet provided policy approval for amendments to the Government Procurement Act 2001 and the Government Procurement Regulation 2007.
Amendments to the Government Procurement Act 2001 and the Government Procurement Regulation 2007 will address wellbeing by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of procurements. This will contribute to increasing the community’s trust and confidence that the procurement decisions of the ACT Government are transparent, evidence-based and defensible.
Cabinet date: 29 May 2025
Government Response - Petition 008-25 – Fix the ACT’s Broken Construction Approval System
Minute Number: 25/266/CAB
Cabinet agreed that the Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development provide the Government response to Petition 008-25 to the Clerk of the Assembly.
An effective building and construction regulatory system is important for the health, safety, and wellbeing of our community. Confidence in the regulatory system is critical to the economic sustainability of the building and construction industry.
Extension of NDIS transport remediation arrangements
Minute Number: 25/252/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the extension of the current National Disability Insurance Scheme transport remediation arrangements for NDIS participants accessing the ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme for 14 months to 31 December 2026, as proposed by the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP.
The ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme (TSS) provides financial assistance to ACT residents with a disability or significant mobility restriction. It subsidises the transport costs of eligible individuals who are unable to use public transport due to a severe or profound activity limitation, supporting social inclusion and economic participation. The scheme makes accessible transport options more affordable, allowing members to attend medical appointments, employment commitments, and social and family gatherings. The proposed extension to current NDIS transport remediation arrangements for NDIS participants accessing the ACT Taxi Subsidy Scheme will provide certainty for people with disability using the TSS as well as service providers whilst governments work together to consider and settle longer-term arrangements. Not accepting this extension will increase the ACT Government’s contribution to NDIS costs and will impact negatively on the Budget and forward estimates, which has the potential to lower living standards in the ACT by reducing overall funding available for government services.
Age-Friendly City Plan 2020-2024 – Final progress report
Minute Number: 25/202/CAB
Cabinet agreed to the Age-Friendly City Plan – Final Progress Report.
The Age-Friendly City Plan – Final Progress Report contributes to the wellbeing of older Canberrans, primarily through the Identity and Belonging domain, and has cross-cutting impacts across all domains of the ACT Wellbeing Framework. The Plan primarily impacts older Canberrans and may have secondary impacts for carers of older people.