Cabinet decision summary for the week of 20 April 2026

Cabinet date: 23 April 2026

Healthy Waterways Plan for Lake Tuggeranong

Minute Number: 26/134/CAB

Cabinet agreed in principle to the Healthy Waterways Plan for Lake Tuggeranong, a new policy to deliver on the 2024 election commitment to develop and deliver a 10-year plan for a Healthier Lake Tuggeranong. The Plan presents an approach to reduce the frequency of algal blooms in Lake Tuggeranong.

Lake Tuggeranong’s frequent blue-green algal blooms have negative visual and smell impacts, present health risks, and prevent people from recreating in and around the lake. Using current scientific understanding of what is causing Lake Tuggeranong’s algal blooms, the Plan presents a ten-year vision to improve water quality in the catchment to reduce the frequency and severity of blooms. This will have positive wellbeing benefits for the Tuggeranong community through reducing health risks, providing recreational access to green space and water, and enhancing cultural and biodiversity values.

Parkwood Urban Release Area – Next Steps

Minute Number: 26/142/CAB

Cabinet agreed to reaffirm the existing ACT Government positions that a border adjustment should be pursued as the most equitable and sustainable pathway to support the provision of new homes in Parkwood and that the ACT Government will not enter into the provision of cross border government services to Parkwood, New South Wales (NSW); and considered connected matters of regional strategic interest.

Development of Parkwood is expected to positively contribute to the housing and home wellbeing domain, through the delivery of approximately 5,000 dwellings to accommodate a population of approximately 12,500 people.

Bail Amendment Bill 2026 – Agreement to introduce

Minute Number: 25/784/CAB

Cabinet agreed to introduce the Bail Amendment Bill 2026, which will amend the Bail Act 1992 and make consequential amendments to other legislation to support the efficient and effective functioning of the criminal justice system.

The Bail Amendment Bill 2026 will have wellbeing impacts across the safety, health and governance and institutions domains. The reforms will have a positive impact on trust in government as they will promote transparency in the justice system and provide additional guidance for decision makers that is consistent with community expectations.

Policy Approval was agreed by Cabinet on 01/12/2025(Minute Number: 25/098/CAB Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2)

Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 (No 1) – Combined Pass

Minute Number: 25/633/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.

The Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 will have a positive wellbeing impact, primarily in the governance and institutions domain.

ACT Environment Offsets Policy Review and Next Steps

Minute Number: 25/620/CAB

Cabinet agreed policy positions with regard to the ACT Environmental Offsets Policy review.

Environmental offsets deliver direct positive environment and climate wellbeing domain impacts through conserving the ACT’s biodiversity, environment and natural carbon sinks by compensating for significant impacts to threatened species and ecological communities resulting from developments. Furthermore, when offsets become nature reserves, they have a positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing of all ACT residents by providing recreational opportunities.

Better Regulation Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 – Agreement to Introduce

Minute Number: 25/542/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the Minister for City and Government Services present the Better Regulation Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 in the 5-7 May 2026 Sitting Week.

The Better Regulation Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 continues the ACT Government’s commitment to better regulation and builds on the substantial body of work that was undertaken in the previous term of government, as well as the two Acts already introduced and passed in 2025: the Better Regulation Legislation Amendment Act 2025 and the Better Regulation (Repeal of Legislation) Act 2025.

Policy Approval was agreed by Cabinet on 27/08/2025 (Minute Number: 25/371/CAB Better Regulation Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (No 2)

Business relief options – portable long service leave expansion

Minute Number: 26/239/CAB

Cabinet agreed to changes to the introduction of the portable long service scheme for the food services industry.

The positions will have a neutral impact on the economy domain.