Cabinet decision summary for the week of 8 September 2025

Cabinet date: 10 September 2025

Government submission - Standing Committee on Social Policy inquiry into E-Pet 007-25 - Build a new Gym for Lyneham High School

Minute Number: 25/513/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Education and Early Childhood provide the Government submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy for the inquiry into E-Pet 007-25 - Build a new Gym for Lyneham High School.

The proposal has a positive impact on education and life-long learning through the renewal of an important school resource.

CSIRO Ginninderra East – Proposed Acquisition

Minute Number: 25/490/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Minister for Homes and New Suburbs, consistent with the City Renewal Authority and Suburban Land Agency Land Acquisition Direction, approve the acquisition of Ginninderra East.

There are significant benefits with the land acquisition in terms of increased housing supply, environmental offsets and a financial return to the Territory.

Government response - petitions E-PET-019-25 and PET-036-25 - Support addressing critical parking needs at Charles Conder Primary School

Minute Number: 25/458/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the Minister for Education and Early Childhood provide the response to petition E-PET-019-025 and PET-036-25 to the Clerk of the Assembly.

The proposal has a positive impact on education and life-long learning through the renewal of an important school resource.

Government Response to Petition E-PET 048-24 - Registration of Left Hand Drive Vehicles of Any Age in the ACT

Minute Number: 25/418/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Government Response to petition E-PET 048-24 regarding registration of Left-Hand Drive Vehicles of Any Age in the ACT.

Any potential changes made to requirements for left-hand drive vehicles in the ACT are overshadowed by Commonwealth requirements. As evidence shows that ‘off-handed’ vehicles represent an additional safety risk, there is a safety benefit to the ACT community in not permitting additional left-hand drive vehicles on ACT roads.

Future Drought Fund – Federation Funding Agreement

Minute Number: 25/411/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water signing two new schedules under the Federation Funding Agreement – Environment titled Future Drought Fund - Farm Business Resilience Program Schedule (2025–2029), and the Future Drought Fund – Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program Schedule (2025–2029).

Phase 2 of the Commonwealth’s Future Drought Fund will provide new funding that supports improved environmental resilience and climate adaptation across ACT rural lands through targeted on-ground works and farm business planning. It enhances farm viability, supports mental wellbeing, and strengthens community networks. The initiative contributes to long-term sustainability and cross-agency collaboration, with measurable benefits for current and future generations.

Tabling of Report – Review of the Freedom of Information Act 2016

Minute Number: 25/377/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the tabling of the 2025 final report of the statutory review of the Freedom of Information Act 2016 ‘The Journey to Pro-Disclosure’ in the Legislative Assembly.

The final report of the statutory review of the Freedom of Information Act 2016 has a primary positive wellbeing impact on the governance and institutions domain by making recommendations to improve and enhance the Freedom of Information scheme.

Project Update: New and Expanded Schools -Telopea Park High School Modernisation Project

Minute Number: 25/361/CAB

Cabinet agreed to revise the scope of the Telopea Park High School Modernisation project and release $6.150 million in provisioned capital funding to support delivery of the project.

The upgrade proposal will have a positive impact for children and young people in the scope of education and life-long wellbeing as it will provide children with access to a local public school facility.

Government Response – Bus Frequency Improvement – Assembly Resolution of 5 December 2024 – September 2025 Update

Minute Number: 25/291/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Ministerial Statement in response to the Assembly Resolution of 5 December 2024 regarding bus frequency improvements.

The wellbeing impact of Government’s plan to improve Canberra’s bus network will enhance Canberran’s access and connectivity commencing soon and within the short to medium term (1-5 years). The plan includes actions to expand the Rapid bus network with additional Rapid routes and to uplift local routes to higher frequencies. The plan to improve Canberra’s bus network is subject to normal government processes as appropriate, including community and workforce engagement and budget consideration. It will be updated from time to time to align with projected future operational plans/requirements (as they may change over time) with continued coordination with fleet deliveries (and scheduled fleet introduction to service) bus retirements as well as driver numbers to enable the plan to be reliably and sustainably implemented.

Government Response - Registry weddings - Proposed establishment – Assembly Resolution of 14 May 2024

Minute Number: 25/346/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Minister for City and Government Services tabling the Marriage Registry – Proposed establishment: Government Response in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The ACT Government has provided a response to the Assembly Resolution of 14 May 2024, continuing with its commitment to keeping the community informed of government services and increase trust and credibility in government.

Capital of Equality Strategy – First Action Plan (2024-2026) Annual Report

Minute Number: 25/273/CAB

Cabinet agreed to Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services release the Annual Progress Report of the First Action Plan (2024-26) of the Capital of Equality Strategy (2024-29). The Report demonstrates the progress undertaken by the ACT Government in implementing the First Action Plan (2024-26) of the Capital of Equality Strategy (2024-29)

The release of annual progress reporting on the First Action Plan (2024-26) of the Capital of Equality Strategy (2024-29) will have a minor positive wellbeing impact for LGBTIQA+ communities.

Disability Justice Strategy – fifth annual progress report

Minute Number: 25/236/CAB

Cabinet agreed for the Attorney-General to table the 2025 Annual Progress Report against the Disability Justice Strategy: Second Action Plan in the Legislative Assembly during the sitting period commencing Tuesday 23 September 2025.

The 2025 Annual Progress Report reports on a range of initiatives that have wellbeing impacts for people with disability, their families, carers and the community across the domains of: Governance and Institutions; Access and Connectivity; Identity and Belonging; and Safety.

Government Response to the ACT Inspector of Custodial Services Healthy Centre Review of Bimberi Youth Justice Centre 2024

Minute Number: 25/155/CAB

Cabinet agreed to table the ACT Government Response to the ACT Inspector of Custodial Services Healthy Centre Review of Bimberi Youth Justice Centre 2024.

The ACT Government Response reflects the ACT Government’s commitment to the rights of young people in youth detention in the ACT and the continual maturity of ACT’s youth justice system. There are no direct economic or environmental impacts stemming from the ACT Government Response to the Inspector of Custodial Services Review.

Government Response to the Select Committee on Estimates 2025-26 Report - Appropriation Bill 2025-26 and the Appropriation (Office of the Legislative Assembly) Bill 2025-26

Minute Number: 25/027/CAB

Cabinet agreed responses to the recommendations made by the ACT Legislative Assembly Select Committee’s inquiry into the ACT 2025-2026 Budget and associated Appropriation Bills.

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