SUMMARY OF CABINET OUTCOMES FOR WEEK OF 25 APRIL 2016

As part of the ACT Government’s Open Government commitment, this document is a public summary of matters considered by Cabinet. It is not intended to be a detailed set of minutes and does not cover all matters considered by Cabinet. Among 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 meeting of the Budget Committee of Cabinet was convened. Ministers and Treasury officials discussed items of fiscal importance to the ACT.  

A meeting of the Economic Growth and Urban Renewal Subcommittee of Cabinet was convened. Ministers and relevant officials discussed economic and urban renewal issues currently affecting the ACT.

Review of the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reductions Act 2010

Cabinet endorsed the proposed targets recommended in the Review of the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010, including a 100 per cent Renewable Energy Target by 2020 and a principal target of zero net emissions by 2050. Cabinet agreed to the review being tabled in the May sitting of the Legislative Assembly and to introduce amendments to the Electricity Feed-in (Large-scale Renewable Energy Generation) Act 2011 to 650 MW.

Lifetime Care and Support Amendment Bill 2016

Cabinet endorsed the introduction in the May sittings of the Lifetime Care and Support Amendment Bill 2016, which implements reforms to the Lifetime Care and Support Scheme to address anomalies and inefficiencies in the delivery of benefits to participants under the scheme, which have been identified in the first year of its operation.

Government Response to PAC Report No. 22 – Review of Auditor-General’s Report No. 1 of 2015: Debt Management

Cabinet endorsed the Government response to the recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in its report no. 22 of February 2016 – Review of the Auditor-General’s Report No. 1 of 2015: Debt Management. Cabinet agreed to the tabling of this response in the Legislative Assembly in the May sitting week.

Icon Water

Cabinet considered a range of governance and financial issues relating to Icon Water.

ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Amendment Bill 2016 (No. 2)

Cabinet agreed to introduce the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Amendment Bill (No. 2) in the Legislative Assembly in the May sitting week. This Bill will amend the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2008 to increase the Tribunal’s jurisdiction and make a number of consequential amendments to other legislation.

Government Submission to the Affordable Housing Working Group

Cabinet agreed to table the ACT Government submission to the Council on Federal Financial Relations Affordable Housing Working Group in the Legislative Assembly in the May sitting week. The ACT Government made a submission to provide details on the ACT context and ensure jurisdiction specific issues are understood and considered by the Working Group as part of the national policy development process.

Children and Young People Amendment Bill

Cabinet agreed to introduce the Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2016 in the Legislative Assembly in the May sitting week. The Bill gives effect to a number of important elements of A Step Up for Our Kids and includes amendments to the Adoption Act 1993.

Government Response to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report No. 23 – Review of Auditor-General’s Report No. 7 of 2015: Sale of ACTTAB

Cabinet endorsed the Government response to the Public Accounts Committee report on its review of the Auditor-General’s report on the sale of ACTTAB. Cabinet agreed to the tabling of the Government response in the Legislative Assembly in the May sitting week.

Ministerial Statement

Cabinet endorsed a Ministerial Statement by the Minister for Multicultural and Youth Affairs on funding and support for multicultural communities.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed appointments to the following bodies.

• ACT Supreme Court (Additional judge).
• Legal Aid Review Committee.
• Official Visitor and Principal Official Visitor under the Mental Health Act 2015.
• Bushfire Council.
• Climate Change Council.
• Natural Resource Management Advisory Committee.
• ACT Long Service Leave Authority Governing Board.
• Commissioner for the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission.
• Lifetime Care and Support Commissioner for the ACT.
• The ACT Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Authority Board.
• The Veterans’ Advisory Council.