Policy and Cabinet Division

The Policy and Cabinet Division, Chief Minister and Cabinet Directorate provides support and direction across the ACT Public Service on policy and strategy. The Policy and Cabinet Division's role includes:

• Providing advice and direction across the ACT Public Service on complex policy matters in social, economic, planning and security policy issues,
• supporting the Chief Minister as head of the ACT Government and chair of Cabinet,
• supporting the Head of the ACT Public Service as Secretary of Cabinet and Chair of Strategic Board;
• working cooperatively with individual agencies in the development of key policies, programs, communications and projects;
• managing and coordinating the ACT's relationships with other jurisdictions, most significantly with the Commonwealth, NSW, and local councils in the region; and
• representing the ACT at intergovernmental forums, notably the Council of Australian Governments and Council for the Australian Federation.

More information about Policy and Cabinet Division visit About Us

What's New in Policy and Strategic Direction

Organisational Performance Measurement Guide

Performance measurement and reporting is central to the ACT Government Performance and Accountability Framework.  This Organisational Performance Measurement Guide outlines a method for developing appropriate and tailored performance measurement indicators. Strengthening performance reporting will improve effective performance management and alignment between project outputs and outcomes.

Regional Profiles - Characteristics of the population

Details on characteristics of the population are available for the ACT and ACT and surrounds. This information is generally sourced from the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. For selected indicators, information on changes over time is provided.

Cabinet Handbook 2013

The Cabinet Handbook sets out procedures to ensure Cabinet’s decisions are based on timely, rigorous and comprehensive analyses of issues and available policy responses. 

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Framework for Infrastructure

This is a Framework to assess the vulnerability of the Australian Capital Territory's infrastructure to climate change.

Regional Engagement

Indicators for a statistical portrait of the Australia Capital Region

ACT Demography

Triple Bottom Line Assessment Framework

2011-2012 Canberra Plan Annual Report

Service Planning Framework

The ACT Government Strategic Service Planning Framework is designed to strengthened strategic service planning processes. It will better integrate planning and decision making across Government, including resource allocation. The Framework will ensure that ACT Government Directorates continue to design and plan effective and sustainable services into the future.

Key Policy and Strategic Initiatives

Canberra Plan: Towards our Second Century

The Canberra Plan is a guide to the growth and development of Canberra for the city's future for this generation and beyond.

Canberra Social Plan 2011

The Canberra Social Plan 2011 re-affirms the ACT Government's commitment to the people of Canberra so that, all people reach their potential, make a contribution and share the benefits of an inclusive community.

Strengthening ACT Government Performance and Accountability

The ACT Government Performance and Accountability Framework has been refreshed to:

• assist the Government achieve its priorities for social progress and contribute to real sustainable improvements in the wellbeing of Canberrans;
• ensure transparent and accountable decision making and resource allocation; and
• embed the principles of evaluation to measure and assess the impacts and merits of government policies and initiatives.

Open Government

Open Government website makes information the ACT Government holds readily available to anyone interested in the work of the ACT Government.

ACT Information Development Plan

The ACT Information Development Plan has been jointly developed by the ACT Government and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The Plan recognises the important role that quality statistics play in informed decision making within governments, business and the community.

Measuring Our Progress 

Measuring our Progress is the ACT Government's online report card on life in Canberra. The website reports 28 indicators of the ACT's progress as a society, which are aligned with the themes of The Canberra Plan: Towards Our Second Century.

The website assists in informing community engagement and in the development of government policy.

ACT Population Projections

Projections are available for the fifty year period 2009 to 2059 and suburb level projections for the period 2009 to 2021.

It is projected that the Territory will reach a population of 400,000 by 2018; and 500,000 by 2043; and experience significant population ageing.