2 June 2014 - Summary of Cabinet Outcomes

As part of the ACT Government’s Open Government commitment, these are public summaries of matters considered by Cabinet. They are not intended to be a detailed set of minutes and do not cover all matters considered by Cabinet. Among the matters not covered are materials considered in the formation of the ACT budget, commercial and industrial matters under negotiation as well as matters that would impact personal privacy, security and the ACT economy. Nothing in this document can be considered a waiver of the Government’s executive privilege.

Committees of Cabinet

A Budget Committee of Cabinet meeting was convened. Treasury officials joined with Ministers to finalise the 2014-15 ACT Budget.

Public Sector Bill 2014

Cabinet agreed to the progression of a new Public Sector Bill 2014 which will repeal the Public Sector Management Act 1994 and introduce public sector legislation that is in line with requirements of enterprise agreements and will enable the efficient use and allocation of staff resources. This bill is proposed for introduction in the Spring sittings of the Legislative Assembly.

Legislation (Penalty Units) Amendment Bill 2014

Cabinet agreed to the introduction of the Legislation (Penalty Units) Amendment Bill 2014 which amends section 133 (2) of the Legislation Act 2001 to increase penalty units for offences that set a maximum monetary fine for an offence. A copy of the Bill and Explanatory Statement will be available on the ACT Legislation Register following tabling in the Legislative Assembly.

Electoral Amendments to increase the size of the Legislative Assembly

Cabinet agreed to introduce the Australian Capital Territory (Legislative Assembly Bill) 2014 and the Electoral Amendment Bill 2014 which, together, will increase the Legislative Assembly from 17 to 25 members, made up of 5 electorates with 5 members per electorate. These amendments will lead to fairer representation of the ACT community in the Legislative Assembly by increasing the level of representation to the ACT’s overall population. Cabinet noted that Minister Rattenbury does not support these amendments and proposes to oppose the Bills when presented in the Assembly.

A copy of the Bill and Explanatory Statement will be available on the ACT Legislation Register following tabling in the Legislative Assembly.

Utilities (Technical Regulation) Amendment Bill 2014

Cabinet agreed to introduce the Utilities (Technical Regulation) Amendment Bill 2014 which provides for reforms to the technical regulation provisions of the Utilities Act 2000. The reforms to the technical regulation are designed to promote the long-term serviceability of utility networks; effective deployment of technical resources and safe and reliable operation and maintenance of utility networks.

A copy of the Bill and Explanatory Statement will be available on the ACT Legislation Register following tabling in the Legislative Assembly.

Gas Safety Amendment Bill 2014

Cabinet agreed to introduce the Gas Safety Amendment Bill 2014 which amends a number of Acts to improve the operation of gas safety regulation, including revising provisions for setting standards for gasfitting and gas appliance work, product safety approvals for gas appliances, and consolidating the accreditation of gas appliance workers into the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004. A copy of the Bill and Explanatory Statement will be available on the ACT Legislation Register following tabling in the Legislative Assembly.

Ministerial Statement on the New Extension of Time Fee Framework

Cabinet agreed to the Treasurer making a Ministerial Statement on the new Extension of Time fee framework in the ACT Legislative Assembly during the June sitting. The statement will be available in Hansard.

Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Bill 2014

Cabinet agreed to introduce the Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 which makes amendments to several pieces of legislation as part of the Government’s commitment to reducing red tape. The Bill makes amendments to the following:

• Planning and Development Regulation 2008;
• Public Unleased Land Act 2013;
• Gaming Machine Act 2004;
• Casino Control Act 2006;
• Race and Sports Bookmaking Act 2001;
• Registration of Deeds Act 1957;
• Tobacco Act 1927;
• Hawkers Act 2003;
• Security Industry Act 2003;
• Fair Trading (Motor Vehicle Repair Industry) Act 2010;
• Pawnbrokers Act 1902;
• Sale of Motor Vehicles Act 1977; and
• Second-Hand Dealers Act 1906.

Payroll Tax Amendment Bill 2014

Cabinet agreed to introduce the Payroll Tax Amendment Bill 2014 which makes amendments to the exemption provisions under schedule 2 of the Payroll Tax Act 2011. A copy of the Bill and Explanatory Statement will be available on the ACT Legislation Register following tabling in the Legislative Assembly.

Land Tax Amendment Bill 2014

Cabinet agreed to introduce the Land Tax Amendment Bill 2014 which will restructure the framework for the calculation of the residential land tax in the ACT. A copy of the Bill and Explanatory Statement will be available on the ACT Legislation Register following tabling in the Legislative Assembly.

Statutory Review of Section 374 of the Crimes Act 1900

Cabinet agreed to the Attorney-General tabling the report on the statutory review of section 374 of the Crimes Act 1900 in the Legislative Assembly during the June sitting week. A copy of the report is available for viewing on the Justice and Community Safety website.

Ministerial Statement on National Reconciliation Week

Cabinet agreed to the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs presenting a Ministerial Statement on National Reconciliation Week in the ACT Legislative Assembly with a message of reconciliation and the ACT Government’s support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans. The statement will be available in Hansard.

Review of the operation of the Plastic Shopping Bags Ban Act 2010

Cabinet noted the outcomes of the review of the operation of the Plastic Shopping Bags Ban Act 2010 which shows that the law has been successful in reducing the amount of plastic bag waste in the Territory and has a positive impact on both the environment and consumer behaviour. A copy of the report can be found on the Environment website.

Role of ACT Government under the NDIS - Implementation Progress

Cabinet noted the progress of the implementation of the transitional arrangements for ACT Government upon the commencement of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in the ACT from 1 July 2014.

Cabinet Secretary