31 March 2025
Cabinet decision summary for the week of 31 March 2025
Cabinet date: 3 April 2025
2025-26 Emissions-based registration light vehicle fees
Minute Number: 24/604/ERC
The Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet agreed to the 2025-26 vehicle registration fees for light vehicles.
This proposal benefits the environment through reduced particulate pollution and reduced greenhouse gas emissions from transport. Lower emissions vehicles have lower running costs and provide health benefits across the community through reduced noxious gases and particulates.
ACT Government negotiating options for Community Sector MEA
Minute Number: 25/207/ERC
The Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet agreed to provide ACT Government input to the Community Sector Multi-Employer Agreement process.
This proposal seeks to move towards parity of conditions with the ACTPS for workers who would be covered by the MEA. Increased conditions will increase living standards for those workers and their families, who work in traditionally lower paid industries.
H5 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza National Management Agreement
Minute Number: 25/203/ERC
The Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet agreed the Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water signing the H5 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) National Management Agreement to establish a national agreement for cost-sharing and governance of a national response to manage the impact of incursion of H5 HPAI in wildlife, where it is determined that the disease is not capable of eradication or containment.
Endorsing the H5 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) National Management Agreement will ensure the governance and cost sharing arrangements are in place to enable the ACT to quickly respond to any incursions of HPAI H5 that may occur, reducing the impacts on the Canberra community, industry and wildlife.
Northside Hospital Transition and Claims Update
Minute Number: 25/116/ERC
The Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet noted claims submitted to the Territory under the Health Infrastructure Enabling Regulation 2023, relating to the acquisition of public hospital lands under the Health Infrastructure Enabling Act 2023 and agreed to concurrently invite Calvary Health Care ACT (and related entities) to enter into negotiations to agree a final settlement for all claims.
Investment in health infrastructure will provide for Canberra’s growing community with access to services in modern and sustainable health settings.
Cabinet Date: 4 April 2025
Introducing Activity Based Funding
Minute Number: 24/609/CAB
Cabinet agreed in principle to implement Activity Based Funding in the context of an Activity Based Management framework for public hospitals in the ACT in 2025-26, subject to further consideration of the draft Service Funding Agreement and implementation plan.
The ACT Government is planning to introduce Activity Based Funding (ABF) under an Activity Based Management framework for public hospital services in 2025-26. Implementing ABF will promote a greater focus on understanding public health service demand, with the aim of improving ACT health system efficiency and outcomes over time. The potential impacts under the domain of government institutions and trust in government will provide for improved trust in service efficiency, transparency of decision making and improving public hospital performance.
Education Amendment Bill 2025
Minute Number: 25/169/CAB
Cabinet agreed to introduce the Education Amendment Bill 2025, which makes an amendment to the Education Act 2004 to address an identified issue relating to an application for a registration amendment for a non-government school. Cabinet agreed to progress further amendments to the Education Act 2004 to address identified gaps in the regulatory framework for non-government schools.
The Education Amendment Bill 2025 will have a major positive impact on education and lifelong learning, by ensuring the continuity of education should there be a critical time period associated with a registration amendment.
Charter of Rights for Victims of Crime Statutory Review – Public Consultation
Minute Number: 24/573/CAB
Cabinet agreed to a Discussion Paper for consultation be publicly released to inform the Government’s review of the Charter of Rights for Victims of Crime.
The proposal does not have a direct wellbeing impact as no new initiatives are contemplated. Undertaking the statutory review will support and promote the Governance and Institutions domain. The feedback received through the public consultation process may have a positive impact on victims of crime and justice agencies through identification of ways in which the operation of the Charter of Rights for Victims of Crime may be strengthened to ensure the scheme is working as intended.
Government Response - London Circuit Business Disruption Mitigation - Assembly Resolution of 5 March 2025
Minute Number: 25/204/CAB
Cabinet agreed the Minister for Transport table a quarterly report ending 31 March 2025 regarding the consultation of businesses around London Circuit in relation to the Light Rail Stage 2A project in the sitting week of 8-10 April 2025.
The paper will have a positive impact on the wellbeing domain of access and connectivity.
Cabinet Date: 6 April 2025
National Information Sharing Framework and Co-Location Program - Federation Funding Agreement
Minute Number: 24/571/CAB
Cabinet noted the Expenditure Review Committee’s agreement for the Attorney-General to endorse the proposed expansion and increase to the National Strategic Framework for Information Sharing between the Family Law and Family Violence and Child Protection Systems at the meeting of the Standing Council of Attorneys-General.
This proposal is anticipated to have a positive wellbeing impact in the governance and institutions and safety domains by supporting the continued implementation of the National Framework and Co-location Program, facilitating appropriate and timely information sharing between the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and ACT agencies to promote access to justice and the best outcomes for at-risk children and young people.
The agreement noted above was decided by the Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet on 18 February 2025 (Minute Number: 24/571/CAB – National Information Sharing Framework and Co-Location Program – Federation Funding Agreement)
Appointments
Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:
- Rail Safety National Law (Drug and Alcohol Analysts) Appointment 2025 (1) (Minute Number: 25/158/CAB)
- Appointment - Labour Hire Licensing Advisory Committee Members (Minute Number: 25/171/CAB)
- Appointments - Work Health and Safety Council Members (Minute Number: 25/172/CAB)
- Public Sector Workers Compensation Fund Advisory Committee Member Appointments (Minute Number: 25/173/CAB)
- Suburban Land Agency Board Member Reappointment (Minute Number: 25/184/CAB)
Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.