27 January 2025

Cabinet decision summary for the week of 27 January 2025

Cabinet date: 29 January 2025

Government Response to the Standing Committee on Health and Community Wellbeing – Report No. 13 – Inquiry into Raising Children in the ACT

Minute Number: 24/498/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the Standing Committee on Health and Community Wellbeing - Report No. 13 - Inquiry into Raising Children in the ACT.

The ACT The ACT Government response highlights existing and proposed initiatives, programs, and services across the ACT Government to support those who are raising children. These intersect across a wide range of wellbeing domains including living standards, health, safety, housing and home, social connection, education and life-long learning, access and connectivity.

Response to petition E-PET-034-24 ‘Human Rights and Palestine’.

Minute Number: 24/512/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Government Response to the petition E-PET-034-24 Human Rights and Palestine.

The Government response to the petition supports has few direct wellbeing impacts. However, the ACT Government’s Responsible Investment Policy framework delivers for the community by providing for sustainable financial investment returns, a stronger alignment with values, increased public confidence in investment practices and processes, accountability and transparency.

Government Response to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community safety Report No 30 - Inquiry into the Administration of Bail

Minute Number: 24/530/CAB

Cabinet agreed to table the Government Response to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety’s Report No. 30 Inquiry into the Administration of Bail.

The tabling of the Government Response impacts on the safety domain as it highlights existing and future work aimed at improving how bail laws, supports and services operate in the Territory.

National Construction Code 2025 - ACT Position

Minute Number: 24/556/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the ACT voting positions on the 2025 edition of the National Construction Code for the Building Ministers Meeting.

The 2025 updates to the National Construction Code will have positive impacts across several wellbeing domains by improving the safety and health, amenity and accessibility, and sustainability in the design, construction, performance and liveability of new buildings.

Government Response – Inquest into the death of Luke Anthony Rich

Minute Number: 24/568/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the tabling of the Government Response – Inquest into the death of Luke Anthony Rich, the Response to the inquest into the death of Luke Anthony Rich prepared under section 76 of the Coroners Act 1997, as well as the related Coroner’s Report.

The Government Response addresses recommendations made by the Coroner. Implementing the recommendations the ACT Government agreed to will contribute to continuous improvement of the care, treatment and safety of detainees and staff at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC).

Government Response – Standing Committee on Public Accounts – Report 24 – Inquiry into Auditor-General’s Performance Audit Reports July-December 2023

Minute Number: 24/576/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Government’s Response to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report No. 24 – Inquiry into Auditor-General's Performance Audit Reports July-December 2023 being tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The Government Response will have minor indirect impacts to the ACT Public Service and broader Canberra community under the Governance and Institutions domain. The ACT Government’s consideration of recommendations made by the Auditor-General and the former Standing Committee on Public Accounts will support improvements to future practices and promote the community’s trust in government.

ACT Government Response to the Coronial Recommendations from the Inquest into the Death of Rozalia Spadafora

Minute Number: 24/590/CAB

Cabinet agreed for the Minister for Health to: table Coroner Archer’s report following the inquest into the death of Rozalia Spadafora as required by the Coroners Act 1997; the Government Response to Coroner Archer’s report; and present a Ministerial Statement following Coroner Archer’s report being tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

The Government Response to these coronial findings aims to improve systems and processes for the care of unwell children. The changes aim to ensure timely identification and appropriate response to critically ill children, impacting more broadly than paediatric patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED).

ACT Government endorsement of National Small Business Strategy

Minute Number: 24/592/CAB

Cabinet agreed to endorse the Australian Government’s National Small Business Strategy.

The wellbeing impacts of the National Small Business Strategy relate primarily to the wellbeing domain of Economy. The small business sector makes a significant contribution to the ACT economy, driving economic diversification, providing secure and stable jobs for Canberrans and improving wellbeing through encouraging innovation and productivity.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Amendment Bill 2025 - Agreement to Introduce

Minute Number: 24/593/CAB

Cabinet agreed to introduce the Assisted Reproductive Technology Amendment Bill 2025 which revises transitional arrangements and makes technical amendments to the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024.

The Assisted Reproductive Technology Amendment Bill 2025 will impact wellbeing primarily through health. The Bill will support the wellbeing of people accessing assisted reproductive technology services and children born through assisted reproductive technologies, through improving the fairness, transparency, and safety of assisted reproductive technology services in the ACT.

Ministerial Statement – Government Response – Genius Childcare Gowrie – Employment Conditions Assembly Resolution of 4 December 2024

Minute Number: 25/033/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Education and Early Childhood table the Government Response Employment Conditions at Genius Childcare in Gowrie: Government Response and provide a Ministerial Statement in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The main wellbeing impacts of this submission are in education and life-long learning and living standards.

Phillip Swimming Pool and Ice Skating Development - Response to Assembly Resolution of 3 December 2024

Minute Number: 25/051/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the Minister for Planning and Sustainable Development provide a response to the ACT Legislative Assembly on the Assembly Resolution of 3 December 2024 regarding the Phillip Swimming Pool and Ice-Skating Development.

The response to the Assembly Resolution regarding the redevelopment of the Phillip Pool and Ice-Skating Rink site was assessed against the wellbeing domains of access and connectivity and housing and home as the proposal is expected to support access to the pool facilities while also delivering additional access to housing in the Woden Town Centre.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

ACT Veterinary Practitioners Board Appointments 2025 - Member (Minute number: 24/493/CAB)
Appointments to the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) (Minute number: 24/503/CAB)

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

Cabinet date: 2 February 2025

Ministerial Statement – Ministerial Priorities – Minister Orr

Minute Number: 24/570/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs delivering a Ministerial Statement in the ACT Legislative Assembly on the priorities for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water, Disability, Carers and Community Services, and Seniors and Veterans portfolios.