As part of ACT Government's 'One Government, One Voice' program, we are transitioning this website across to our new website. You can access everything you need through this website while it's happening.

9 December 2024

Cabinet decision summary for the week of 9 December 2024

Cabinet Date: 9 December 2024

Government Response – Standing Committee on Environment, Climate Change & Biodiversity – Report 12 - Inquiry into Petition 17-23 Indian (Common) Myna Control

Minute Number: 24/505/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Government Response to the report published by the former Standing Committee of Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity of the Tenth Legislative Assembly in September 2024, titled Inquiry into Petition 17-23 – Indian (Common) Myna Control.

Pest plant and animals (invasive species) pose a threat to the sensitive ecosystems of the ACT and the protected conservation areas such as parks and reserves. The ACT Government heavily invests each year in the management of these invasive species. Whilst Common mynas are a declared pest, the development and implementation of plans and new control actions for invasive species will continue to be progressed in a strategic manner and one that considers risk, priorities, and resource availability.

2025-26 Budget: Budget Process Rules, Strategy and Timetable

Minute Number: 24/564/CAB

Cabinet considered development and timing considerations associated with delivery of the 2025-26 Budget and agreed to the Budget Process Rules, Strategy and Timetable.

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

Approval of the ACT Jurisdictional Action Plan under National Skills Agreement (NSA)

Minute Number: 24/533/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the ACT Government Submission of Jurisdictional Action Plan under the National Skills Agreement.

There will be positive and significant impact on the lives of Canberrans by achieving the ambitions of the priorities of the NSA through the ACT Jurisdictional Skills Action Plan.

Majura Split Blocks: Degazettal and new lease arrangements

Minute Number: 24/540/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Territory negotiating with the Commonwealth to enter into a Deed as a precursor to the Commonwealth degazetting the national land status over parts of the Majura Split Blocks. Cabinet agreed that following de-gazettal the Territory Executive may proceed to consider the granting of rural leases by direct sale to the former lessees of the split-blocks in Majura, with conditions to apply.

The submission progresses the House and Home wellbeing domain by supporting increased land
tenure security for split block occupiers of the Majura Valley.

Policy Approval - Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility - Police Powers

Minute Number: 24/528/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the development of a Bill to facilitate changes related to the increase in the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

The proposed amendments will support the wellbeing of children and young people aged under 14 and promote the equitable treatment of people at sentencing for ACT offences.

Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Minute number: 24/563/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the ACT becoming a signatory to the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles and associated process arrangements.

The ACT becoming a signatory to the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles will have a minor positive impact on the Environment and Climate and Economy Domains by signalling intent to reduce emissions from Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicles.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

  • ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) Full Time Senior Members Appointment Minute Number: 24/517/CAB
  • ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) Presidential Member Appointment Minute Number: 24/518/CAB

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

Cabinet Date: 12 December 2024

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointment:

  • Appointment of Chair of Machinery of Government Changes Taskforce Minute Number: 24/586/CAB

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

Cabinet Date: 15 December 2024

ACT Government Response to Standing Committee on Education and Community Inclusion - Report No. 13 - Inquiry into Loneliness and Social Isolation in the ACT

Minute Number: 24/499/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the ACT Government Response to the Standing Committee on Education and Community Inclusion - Report No. 13 - Inquiry in Loneliness and Social Isolation in the ACT.

The ACT Government Response will have a positive impact on trust in government (the governance and institutions domain) by providing public information about government action to reduce loneliness and social isolation in the ACT. Further, the implementation of agreed recommendations will have a direct and sustained impact on social connection, health, and identity and belonging in the future.

Omnibus Federation Funding Agreements - December 2024

Minute Number: 24/543/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Minister for Health signing the Federation Funding Agreement Schedules for the OzFoodNet Program and the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Surveillance Program.

The Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance Program and the OzFoodNet Program are expected to continue to provide a positive impact on the wellbeing of the ACT and broader community through funding to support the surveillance and public health response to communicable diseases in the ACT. This includes for vaccine preventable diseases such as measles, meningococcal disease and pertussis, as well as gastrointestinal diseases, including the investigation and response to foodborne disease outbreaks.

Government Response to Petition E-Pet-015-24 - Lowering the voting age to 16 for ACT Election

Minute Number: 24/489/CAB

Cabinet agreed the Government response to Petition E-PET-015-24 - Lower the voting age to 16 for ACT elections.

The ACT Government response to Petition E-PET-015-24 outlines its commitment to ensuring that young people are engaged in the political process. The Government’s position seeks to maintain the integrity of the compulsory voting system and avoid potential and harmful outcomes such as subjecting young people to penalties for the failure to vote. The Government acknowledges that many young people in the ACT community wish to vote and currently are unable to do so.

Standing Committee on Economy and Gender Economic Equality - Report 11 – Inquiry into micro, small and medium business in the ACT region – Government Response

Minute Number: 24/514/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Government Response to the Standing Committee on Economy and Gender Economic Equality - Report 11 – Inquiry into micro, small and medium business in the ACT region.

The wellbeing impacts of the Government Response to the Standing Committee on Economy and Gender Economic Equality - Report 11 – Inquiry into micro, small and medium business in the ACT region relate primarily to the wellbeing domain of Economy. The micro, small, and medium business sector makes a significant contribution to the ACT economy, driving economic diversification, providing secure and stable jobs for Canberrans and improving wellbeing through shaping solutions to local and global problems.

ACT Government response to the Standing Committee Inquiry into Unpaid Work

Minute Number: 24/523/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the ACT Government Response to the Standing Committee Inquiry into unpaid work and to table the response in the Legislative Assembly.

The Government Response itself will impact on the Governance and Institutions domain of the ACT Wellbeing Framework. Any substantive actions that support unpaid work will affect various domains, including economy, health, safety, living standards, housing and home, climate and environment, social connection, education and life-long learning, and identity and belonging.

Inter-governmental Agreement – NSW Health: 2025 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) disease prevention in infants program

Minute Number: 24/544/CAB

Cabinet agreed that the ACT Health Directorate enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with NSW Ministry of Health to procure the medicine Beyfortus® (nirsevimab) for the prevention of RSV in young children at risk of severe RSV disease in the ACT.

The intergovernmental agreement will support the Health wellbeing domain as the implementation of an RSV disease prevention in infants program is expected to reduce RSV-related hospitalisations and long-term impacts of RSV infection.

Government Response to ACT Auditor General’s Report No. 7/2024 – Reusable Facility Services Procurement

Minute Number: 24/534/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the Government response to the Auditor-General’s report No. 7/ 2024 – Reusable Facility Services Procurement.

The Government response has positive wellbeing impacts for governance and institutions.

Operational Transport Regulation and Traffic and Parking Enforcement

Minute Number: 24/551/CAB

Cabinet agreed to continue the consolidation of Traffic and Parking Enforcement Solutions (TAPES) procurement.

The proposal will have a positive impact to the domains of Safety and Governance and

Institutions.

RESTRICTED: ACT Water Trade Policy and Framework

Minute Number: 24/537/CAB

Cabinet agreed to establish arrangements for interstate water trade between the ACT and NSW, consistent with requirements under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

The introduction of interstate water trade arrangements will contribute to improving the ACT’s long-term water security and environmental outcomes in the southern connected basin by supporting the provision of environmental water where it is needed most in the Basin.

Murray-Darling Basin and Upper Murrumbidgee FFA schedules Funding profiles

Minute Number: 24/539/CAB

Cabinet agreed to the proposed funding profiles for the Federation Funding Agreement schedules: ‘Implementing Reforms in the Murray-Darling Basin’ and ‘Restoring the Upper Murrumbidgee River’.

Wellbeing impacts across the environment and climate domain will be met through implementation of the agreed funding schedules. Secondary benefits to identity and belonging, governance and institutions, and social connection are expected as indirect and sustained impacts.

Federation Funding Agreement for the National Firearms Register

Minute Number: 24/527/CAB

Cabinet agreed for the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services to sign the National Firearms Register Federation Funding Agreement Schedule for the National Firearms Register.

The signing of the Federation Funding Agreement for the National Firearms Register will have wellbeing impacts in the governance and institutions wellbeing domain. Once the National Firearms Register is established, there will be positive wellbeing impacts on the safety domains.

Appointments

Cabinet endorsed the below appointments:

  • ACT Climate Change Council Reappointments Minute Number: 24/513/CAB
  • Appointment: CIT Project Board Independent Member Minute Number: 24/566/CAB
  • President appointment to the Variation in Sex Characteristics Restricted Medical Treatment Assessment Board Minute Number: 24/575/CAB

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