One of the core roles of the Chief Minister and Cabinet Directorate is to provide support and direction across the ACT Public Service on policy and strategy. The Policy and Cabinet Division provides strategic policy advice and support to other agencies and the Executive on social, economic, regional and planning issues and on key whole-of-Government policy, machinery of government and delivery and implementation.

The Policy and Cabinet Division’s role includes:

• Providing advice and direction across the ACT Public Service on complex policy matters, incorporating a strategic central agency role in social, economic, planning and security policy issues, supporting the Chief Minister as head of the ACT Government and chair of Cabinet, and the Chief Executive of the ACT Public Service as Secretary of Cabinet and Chair of Strategic Board;
• working co-operatively with individual agencies in the development of key policies, programs, communications and projects to ensure effective and sustainable approaches to implementation of the Government's strategic direction;
• 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.

The two policy teams, Social Policy and Implementation and Economic Regional and Planning, also provide agency liaison and portfolio policy oversight from a central agency perspective (as does the Cabinet Office in relation to Police and Emergency Services).

Current areas of focus include:

• The Canberra Plan
• Performance and Accountability
• The Social Plan
• ACT Targeted Assistance Strategy
• Extending Throughcare for Offenders  
• The ACT Government Infrastructure Plan
• Cabinet and Assembly
• Intergovernmental Relations
• Sustainability Policy
• Regional Policy
• Demographic Reports and Statistical Analysis

More information about Policy and Cabinet Division visit About Us 

What's New in Policy and Strategic Direction

ACT Estimated Residential Population (June 2011 Quarter)

The ACT Estimated Resident Population is an ACT focused summary provided following the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ quarterly data release on the estimated resident population, including details on natural growth, interstate migration and overseas migration.

ACT Targeted Assitance Strategy - Open for Public Comment

The ACT Government has commissioned a Targeted Assistance Strategy to be developed to provide direction and recommendations to Government to redesign support for those on low incomes who struggle to meet their day to day expenses, including those who sit just above the current eligibility thresholds for concessions.

Extending Through Care for Offenders

The ACT Government is currently cavassing opitions to extend the Throughcare policy framework, which supports offenders' intergration into the community with a view of reducing the risk of reoffedning.

ACT-NSW MoU on Regional Collaboration

On Friday 2 December 2011, the ACT Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher MLA, and the NSW Premier, Barry O'Farrell MP, signed the ACT-NSW Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Regional Collaboration.  

The MoU strengthens the collaboration between the ACT and NSW governments and serves to optimise regional outcomes and service delivery to the people of the ACT and south east NSW region. 

Triple Bottom Line Climate Change Impact Assessment Discussion Paper - Open for Public Comment

In support of the Triple Bottom Line Assessment Framework, a tool has been developed to support Climate Change Impact Assessments by the ACT Government.

The Discussion paper on Triple Cilmate Change Impact Assessment Tool is open for Public Comment until COB Thursday, 1 March 2012.

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 - Accessing Cabinet Outcomes

As part of the ACT Government’s Open Government commitment, a public summary of matters considered by Cabinet will be made available.

ACT Government Infrastructure Plan 2011-2021

The Infrastructure Plan is a strategic planning document that demonstrates how the Government’s vision for the Territory translates into real services that are supported by appropriate infrastructure.

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.