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19 June 2023

Cabinet decision summary for the week of 19 June 2023

Cabinet date: 21 June 2023

Government Response to Standing Committee on Public Accounts – Report 15 – Inquiry into Auditor-General’s Report No. 8 of 2021: Canberra Light Rail Stage 2A: Economic Analysis

Minute Number: 23/373/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Transport Canberra and City Services table the Government Response to the inquiry into the Auditor-General’s Report 8/2021 – Canberra Light Rail Stage 2A: Economic Analysis in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The proposal has a positive impact in the wellbeing domain of Governance and Institutions, as it signals the Government’s commitment to implementing recommendations made by the Auditor-General for improvement to government administration and adopting openness and transparency in decision-making. This can help to sustain and increase the community’s confidence that they have a government and other institutions which are responsible, reliable, have integrity, are open, and are fair.

Physical and Sexual Abuse Indemnity Scheme

Minute Number: 23/425/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the implementation of a Physical and Sexual Abuse Indemnity Scheme from 30 June 2023 which will be reviewed annually.

This proposal would support the ongoing provision of services to the ACT Government and Community by OOHC service providers, ensuring ongoing opportunities for Canberrans to work in this sector as well as ensuring ongoing services to support out of  home care arrangements for vulnerable children and young people.

Housing Accord – ACT Implementation Schedule

Minute Number: 23/438/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Implementation Schedule provided with the submission that outlined the ACT’s commitments under the National Housing Accord.

The endorsement of the Implementation Schedule will enable the delivery of up to 350 affordable rental dwellings to commence in the ACT. The key beneficiaries are households in income quintiles 1 and 2 in private rental and experiencing rental stress, who will be eligible for these dwellings. Local Community Housing providers also benefit from the opportunity to grow their stock through the assistance available from the Commonwealth and ACT governments.

Government Submission - Standing Committee on Education and Community Inclusion - Inquiry into skateboarding and skate parks in the ACT

Minute Number: 23/463/CAB

Cabinet agreed the ACT Government’s Submission to the Standing Committee’s Inquiry into skateboarding and skateparks in the ACT.

Skateparks provide opportunities for members of the public to participate in group activities with like-minded individuals, which encourages physical activity and brings people together, contributing to better health and wellbeing outcomes and social cohesion. Activating open spaces with skate facilities strengthens custodianship, community cohesion and connection and the capacity of local communities to care for our urban open spaces. It fosters a sense of belonging and ownership, brings people together, and encourages physical activity, all of which contribute to better health and wellbeing.

Ministerial Statement - Outcome of 2023 Autumn Prescribed Burn Program

Minute Number: 23/472/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Planning and Land Management deliver a statement to the ACT Legislative Assembly regarding the Outcome of 2023 Autumn Prescribed Burn Program.

Prescribed burns are an important part of the ACT Government Bushfire Operations Plan to reduce the risk of bushfires and are delivered by highly qualified and experienced land management and conservation officers from the ACT Parks and Conservation Service. Approximately 1,000 ha of prescribed burns were completed during Autumn 2023 in the ACT.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill 2023 - Policy Approval

Minute Number: 23/044/CAB

Cabinet agreed to commence drafting the Assisted Reproductive Technology 2023 Bill.

This proposal sits primarily within the health domain. The regulatory requirements ensure the quality, transparency and safety of ART services in the ACT; and the donor register supports donor-conceived people to access to information about heritable health conditions and to avoid entering into an intimate relationship with a sibling or cousin. There are known general benefits to health and wellbeing for donor-conceived people, and likely benefits for donors and intended parents through increased information sharing. It is anticipated that there will be benefits in the domains of social connection, as the donor register will enable linking between individuals of shared genetic identity, as well as identity and belonging, as donor-conceived people will be able to access information about their donor, ethnicity and social or cultural background.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointment:

  • ACT Multi-Hazard Advisory Council – Appointments (Minute Number: 23/445/CAB)

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

Cabinet date: 25 June 2023

Ministerial Statement – Paediatric Services in the ACT – Assembly Resolution of 21 September 2022 and 12 October 2022 – Government Response

Minute Number: 23/433/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Minister for Health making a Ministerial Statement in the Legislative Assembly on 14 June 2023.

The development of a Child and Adolescent Clinical Services Plan (CACSP) is a key priority of the ACT Health Services Plan 2022-2030. The draft CACSP focuses on objectives and actions to improve health outcomes and access to healthcare for children, adolescents and their families. When finalised, it will provide a roadmap for clinical services to support the health and well-being of children and adolescents.

Ministerial Statement – Joint – Chief Minister Trade Missions to Singapore (February 2023), Republic of Korea and Japan (April 2023)

Minute Number: 23/448/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Chief Minister present the Ministerial Statement – Chief Minister Trade Missions to Singapore, Republic of Korea and Japan to the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The Wellbeing domain that the trade mission is most closely aligned to is Economy. The changes to wellbeing from this are both short and long term – notably assisting in diversifying and growing the ACT economy for all Canberrans.

Ministerial Statement – Silica Dust Safety Reforms Assembly Update

Minute Number: 23/487/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety would provide an update to the Assembly on the implementation of silica safety reforms in the ACT.

Silicosis and the risks posed by respirable crystalline silica affects workers, their families, businesses, the community and the government. The update on silica dust reforms outlines the steps taken by the Government in recent years to address the risks of silica dust and silicosis as a preventable occupational disease.

2023 ACT and NSW Memorandum of Understanding for Regional Collaboration

Minute Number: 23/426/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Chief Minister sign the 2023 update to the ACT and NSW Memorandum of Understanding for Regional Collaboration and agreed its public release.

The primary wellbeing impact is in the Governance and Institutions domain. The priorities and actions facilitated by the ACT and NSW MoU cover a range of policy and service areas, impacting multiple wellbeing domains.

Parentage (Surrogacy) Amendment Bill 2023 - Policy Approval

Minute Number: 23/063/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the development of the Parentage (Surrogacy) Amendment Bill 2023.

The Parentage (Surrogacy) Amendment Bill 2023 will contribute to positive impacts across both the identity and belonging wellbeing and governance and institutions domains for children born by surrogacy, surrogates and intended parents. The proposed reforms aim to improve access, provide more legal certainty for parties entering surrogacy arrangements, and strengthen the protection of human rights for all parties involved in domestic altruistic surrogacy arrangements.

Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 - Policy Approval

Minute Number: 23/079/CAB

Cabinet agreed the development of the Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which will amend criminal law legislation to support the efficient and effective functioning of the ACT criminal justice system.

The Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 will have wellbeing impacts across the governance and institutions, and the safety wellbeing domains. The reforms will have major impacts on trust in government as they will help to ensure that laws relating to the ACT criminal justice system remain fit for purpose.

Sexual Assault and Family Violence Legislation Reform Bill 2023 – Policy Approval

Minute Number: 23/086/CAB

Cabinet agreed the drafting of the Sexual Assault and Family Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which will implement the next tranche of law reform that progresses some of the outstanding law reform recommendations from the Listen. Take Action to Prevent, Believe and Heal Report, as well as amendments to streamline family violence proceedings and promote the safety of victim-survivors of family and sexual violence.

The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 will have wellbeing impacts across the governance and institutions domain. The reforms will have major impacts those navigating the justice system in sexual violence and family violence proceedings.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

  • ACT Disability Reference Group - Appointment (Minute Number: 23/137/CAB)
  • Appointment of ACT Architects Board Members - 2023 (Minute Number: 23/306/CAB)

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