26 October 2015

Summary of Cabinet outcomes for 26 October 2015

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

The Capital Metro Committee of Cabinet was provided with a verbal update on the progress of the Capital Metro project.

Electoral Amendment Bill 2015

Cabinet endorsed the introduction of the Electoral Amendment Bill 2015 to amend the definition of ‘electoral expenditure’ in the Act, so that the communications allowance provided to Members of the Legislative Assembly is treated in the same way as the previous discretionary office allowance. The Bill will be presented in the Legislative Assembly in the October sitting week.

Government Position on Private Member’s Bill – Lotteries Amendment Bill 2015

Cabinet agreed to the proposed Government position for the debate of the Lotteries Amendment Bill 2015, which is a Private Member’s Bill introduced in the Legislative Assembly on 16 September 2015.

Government Response to Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report No. 9 – Review of Auditor-General’s Report No. 3 of 2014: Single Dwelling Development Assessments

Cabinet agreed to the proposed Government Response to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Report No. 9 – Review of Auditor-General’s Report No. 3 of 2014: Single Dwelling Development Assessments. This response, which details the ‘progress and effectiveness’ of the Government’s implementation of the recommendations of the Auditor-General’s Report, will be presented to the ACT Legislative Assembly in the October sittings.

Government Response to PAC on Auditor-General’s Report No. 3 of 2013 – ACT Government Parking Operations

Cabinet agreed to the proposed Government Response to PAC on Auditor-General’s Report No. 3 of 2013 – ACT Government Parking Operations. This response will be presented to the ACT Legislative Assembly in the October sittings.

Statute Law Amendment Bill 2015 (No. 2)

Cabinet endorsed the introduction of the Statute Law Amendment Bill 2015 (No. 2), which makes non-controversial minor and technical amendments to legislation under the technical amendments program. The Bill will be introduced in the ACT Legislative Assembly in the October sitting week.

National Facial Biometric Matching Capability – Intergovernmental Agreement

Cabinet endorsed the proposed ACT position on the Intergovernmental Agreement for the National Facial Biometric Matching Capability. The agreed position will be maintained at the 5 November 2015 meeting of the Law, Crime and Community Safety Council.

Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2015

Cabinet endorsed the drafting of the Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (No. 1) to make amendments to improve and clarify legislation affecting ACT Health’s stakeholders.

Government Position on Executive Member’s Bill – Health (Patient Privacy) Amendment Bill 2015

Cabinet endorsed the proposed Government position on the Executive Member’s Bill – Health (Patient Privacy) Amendment Bill 2015. The Bill proposes a 50 metre minimum protected area around particular health clinics in the ACT. The Bill will be debated in the Legislative Assembly in the October sitting week.

Review of bushfire prone urban areas – direction paper

Cabinet agreed to continue the review of urban bushfire prone areas in the ACT, which will include community consultation and the development of an implementation mechanism for the declaration of an urban bushfire prone area.

Road Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (No. 2)

Cabinet agreed to the introduction of the Road Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (No. 2) in the October sittings of the ACT Legislative Assembly. The Bill amends road transport legislation and the Crimes Act 1900 to improve both road safety in the ACT and the administration and enforcement of road transport legislation.

Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) (Taxi Industry Innovation) Amendment Bill 2015

Cabinet endorsed the Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) (Taxi Industry Innovation) Amendment Bill 2015, which amends the Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Act 2001 to introduce a regulatory framework for the operation of new on-demand passenger transport services in the ACT, including ridesharing and third-party booking services. The Bill will be introduced in the ACT Legislative Assembly in the October sitting week.

Courts Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (No. 2)

Cabinet agreed to the introduction of the Courts Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 (No. 2) in the October sittings of the ACT Legislative Assembly. The Bill amends a number of Acts to create further improvements and efficiencies in ACT court and tribunal structures and processes, and the operation of the ACT justice and coronial systems.

Report of the Review of the Operation of the Emergencies Act 2004

Cabinet noted the results of the review of the operation of the Emergencies Act 2004. The review finds that the legislative framework governing emergencies in the ACT is of high quality and the most appropriate regime for the Territory, and that the ACT model is increasingly being adopted by other jurisdictions. The report will be presented to the ACT Legislative Assembly in the October sitting week.

Public Housing Renewal – Excising and Retaining Public Housing (Costing Advice) and Tenant Relocation (Funding Arrangements)

Cabinet noted additional information provided on funding arrangements for public housing renewal in the ACT.

Ministerial Statements

Cabinet endorsed the presentation of the following Ministerial Statements in the October sittings of the ACT Legislative Assembly.

  • One Canberra Reference Group Report.
  • Expanding Vocational Education and Training Opportunities in India.
  • Tender for Strengthening High Risk Families.

Appointments

Cabinet considered reappointments to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Cabinet Secretary