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14 August 2023

Cabinet decision summary for the week of 14 August 2023

Cabinet date: 15 August 2023

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Year 1 – Ministerial Statement

Minute Number: 23/190/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence deliver a Ministerial Statement and table the 2023 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Ministerial Statement.

Delivering the 2023 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Ministerial Statement supports the safety wellbeing domain, by signalling to the ACT community that sexual violence is a serious issue which the ACT Government is committed to addressing and preventing, ensuring support is available for victim-survivors. Delivering the statement will also support the governance and institutions wellbeing domain by fulfilling the government’s commitment to delivering the statement.

Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements Update

Minute Number: 23/581/SEMC

The Security and Emergency Management Committee of Cabinet (SEMC) agreed the ACT implementation update for recommendations arising from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements be provided to the Commonwealth National Emergency Management Agency for the purposes of national implementation reporting.

Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.

Ministerial Statement – 2023 ACT Youth Assembly

Minute Number: 23/508/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs present a Ministerial Statement during the 29-31 August 2023 sitting period in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The 2023 ACT Youth Assembly Statement addresses the ACT Government’s commitment to providing opportunities for young people in the ACT to actively participate and engage in society through events and activities. The Wellbeing Domain addressed is Identity and Belonging.

Statutory Review of Section 66AA of the Crimes Act 1900

Minute Number: 23/383/CAB

Cabinet agreed the statutory review of section 66AA of the Crimes Act 1900, and the Attorney-General table the Report of the Statutory Review of Section 66AA Crimes Act 1900 (ACT) in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The statutory review of section 66AA of the Crimes Act 1900 (the Review) supports the wellbeing domains of Safety and Governance and Institutions, as it supports the protection of children from sexual abuse and the improvement of the justice system’s response to abuse. The Review has an indirect impact on children and young people, as it evaluates the effectiveness of the offence requiring adults to report information about child sexual abuse.

New Territory Plan

Minute Number: 23/453/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Territory Plan being: made in accordance with the Planning Act 2023; referred to the Standing Committee on Planning, Transport and City Services; and tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly for approval as an interim Territory Plan.

The new Territory Plan will positively impact the wellbeing of the Canberra community and environment through the delivery of development considerations that support and enhance the Territory’s liveability and prosperity and promotes the wellbeing of residents. The Territory Plan helps to deliver a planning system that focuses on good outcomes for the Territory and facilitates ecologically sustainable development that is consistent with planning strategies and policies.

Planning System Reform – Final District Strategies

Minute Number: 23/398/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the making of and release of district strategies.

District strategies will implement broader government policies and strategic directions from the Wellbeing Framework, the ACT Planning Strategy and other policies at the district level. District strategies will reflect current government policy and identify how, where and what growth might occur in the ACT and Canberra, and what is required to support this change.

Government Response to the Public Accounts Committee Inquiry into Grants Management

Minute Number: 23/476/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government Response to the Public Accounts Committee Report into the Inquiry into Grants Management.

A well designed, transparent and administratively simple grants process is important to supporting the Government’s objectives in the community sector. The Government’s response to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Inquiry into Grants Management in the ACT builds on existing Government frameworks to support this ambition.

Government Response – Petition 013-23 – Callum Brae Nature Reserve – Threatened by Proposed Crematorium Complex

Minute Number: 23/540/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government Response to Petition 013-23 Callum Brae Nature Reserve – Threatened by Proposed Crematorium Complex be provided to the Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, no Wellbeing Impact Assessment was required for this item.

Climate Impact Analysis for Private Members Bill

Minute Number: 23/470/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Climate Action present a motion to the ACT Legislative Assembly encouraging members, including Private Members, to undertake a climate impact analysis for bills during the remainder of the tenth assembly.

This Assembly Business Paper identifies the Environment and Climate domain as the primary wellbeing indicator, as reform to introduce a climate impact analysis for private members bills will enable the improved identification of climate-related impacts to the environment and climate, Canberrans and the wider ACT economy.

Building (Swimming Pool Safety) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 – Agreement to Introduce

Minute Number: 22/313/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction present the Building (Swimming Pool Safety) Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 that establishes a home swimming pool safety scheme which includes requirements for home swimming
pools and spas to have a barrier compliant with modern safety standards.

The establishment of a home swimming pool safety scheme which includes requirements for home swimming pools and spas to have a barrier compliant with modern safety standards in the ACT will have positive impacts across the health and safety wellbeing domains by reducing fatal drownings and serious injuries from non-fatal drownings in home swimming pools.

Rent Relief Fund Extension

Minute Number: 23/604/CAB

Cabinet agreed to extend the Rent Relief Fund by committing $2.110 million of Budget funding.

The proposal will have direct, significant positive impacts in the housing and home domain by providing rent relief grants to individuals and families in the private rental sector who are experiencing rental stress or financial hardship, supporting them to maintain their tenancies. The proposal will also have secondary positive impact in the living standards domain by providing cost-of-living relief and allowing grant recipients to redirect funds that may have been spent on rent towards other essential services such as food, clothing, utilities and medical bills, allowing for improved quality of life.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

  • Director of Public Prosecutions – Acting appointment (Minute Number: 23/554/CAB)

Under the requirements of the ACT Government Cabinet Handbook, Wellbeing Impact Assessments are not required for appointments.