2011 SPEECH FROM THETHRONE1Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Membersof the House of Assembly, Bermuda today is facing historic challenges. TheGovernment is strongly convinced that the time has come for all who love Bermudato recognise the obligation to work to build one another, together.“Let Us Build One Another, Together” is the literal translation of an Nguni expression,“Masakhane!” One could also say: “Let Us Build Each Other Up.”South African President, Nelson Mandela, chose this expression to mobilize hispeople in joint endeavour in building a new nation cradled in reconciliation, peaceand justice.For Bermuda, at no time in its recent past has there been a greater need to call uponthis Island's collective resources of ingenuity and courage and its tenacious spirit ofcommunity. Bermuda's people and the economic fabric of society are being severelytested. Tough choices are being forced upon us all. Tough decisions are required tofind solutions to the formidable challenges posed by a world in financial turmoil.Many of the difficulties that confront Bermuda and its people are due to the fact thatthe global economy is more interconnected than ever. The simple truth is that there isno escape from the contagious and harmful effects of the economic downturn in thosecountries with which Bermuda does business.Your Government is not deterred. It has made clear that it will take decisive action.It will be resolute in its efforts so that Bermuda will emerge stronger and moreunited. The Government will continue to provide caring leadership that reflects anunderstanding of the real pain being suffered by Bermudians.Nor will your Government be discouraged by those who doubt the resilience andstrength of character that is the legacy of Bermudians past.2As Nelson Mandela observed: It always seems impossible until it is done. In thisSession of Parliament the Government will introduce a cohesive strategy that willaddress the challenges and find the solutions that will restore harmony and prosperityto Bermuda's people.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Membersof the House of Assembly, the Government concurs with the philosophy of SirWinston Churchill who said that he never worried about action, only about inaction.A strong bias for action underpins the stimulus programme that the Government isannouncing today.The programme will help re-ignite demand for Bermuda-based human capital. Theplan makes clear that job creation is “job one”. Your Government is committed not tojob creation soon or job creation as soon as possible, but to job creation now.While job creation remains its top priority, the Government's stimulus plan will alsoaddress the needs of citizens in a great many other areas.These include the provision of support to those experiencing hardship; legislation thatwill address family issues; initiatives that will benefit seniors; measures in support ofeducation, public safety and justice; steps that will help strengthen the economy; andplans to continue to transform the Government and strengthen its ability to delivervalue for money to its taxpayers.Some commentators are of the opinion that time is on our side and that the UnitedStates of America will soon be forced to introduce further growth-generating measureswhich will indirectly assist the Bermuda economy.Your Government does not intend to wait. It is committed now to taking bold steps ofits own in order to encourage employment. Such action is not only required in orderto assist Bermudian families. It is also, lest it is forgotten, a central and enduringelement of the social contract implicit in the Progressive Labour Party's electionvictory of 1998.3Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members ofthe House of Assembly, spearheading the Government's national job stimulus planis the Job Corps Programme and a new one-stop career centre. Of equal importanceis the drawing up of new workforce development legislation and modification of theexisting employment laws.Some provisions of these employment laws have been shown to have the unintendedeffect of encouraging the hiring of non-Bermudians over Bermudians. In the currenteconomic environment the need to change these laws now takes on a special sense ofurgency.The Bermuda adaptation of the Job Corps Programme — recommended in the MincyReport — will provide eligible Bermudians, aged 16 and over, with free education andtraining designed to equip them to compete for stable, long-term, well-paid careers.By integrating the teaching of academic knowledge, vocational and employabilityskills and social competencies, the Job Corps scheme will provide students withclassroom theory and practical learning experiences that will contribute to success inthe workforce and in life.The Job Corps programme will come into full effect in the second quarter of 2012. Itwill be managed by a partnership between Government and the private sector.Such partnerships must be the wave of the future. This initiative could not havebeen progressed as far as it has without the participation of companies such as Axis,Renaissance Reinsurance Ltd., Atlantic Philanthropies Bermuda Limited and HSBCBermuda.However, the Government is not waiting for the implementation of the Job Corpsinitiative to begin to provide opportunities to unemployed young people. It recognisesthe need to provide assistance now to those between the ages of 18 and 25.4The Government is pleased to announce that the Tri 30 Work Experience initiativeis currently underway. Under the energy and auspices of the Ministry of CommunityDevelopment, Tri 30 began on 26 September 2011 and will run until December 2011,providing work for about thirty young people for a three month period.This programme enables these young people to reset their personal dials by providinga jump-start to entry level jobs. Thanks to the synergy between private and publicpartnerships, participants are also provided with some work training courses. Theseinclude Preparatory Workshops covering such topics as Work Ethics and TimeManagement.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Membersof the House of Assembly, another employment measure for young people tobe announced shortly is the YES initiative, named after the initials of the YouthEmpowerment Scheme. This is intended to help young unemployed persons securejobs as part of the work crew undertaking renovations on the “Springfield” NationalTrust property that the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation operate on a longterm lease as the “Sandys Community Centre”.The one-stop career centre will see the merger of the National Training Board andthe Department of Labour and Training. This has been identified as a priority inorder to more efficiently meet the needs of both job-seekers and employers.The centre will be an active participant in the Job Corps programme, assistingsuccessful graduates of the Programme in finding gainful employment. It willcoordinate with the unit that processes work permits, ensuring that work permitswill only be granted after the career centre has confirmed that there are no suitablyqualified Bermudians available for a position.In addition, all unemployed clients of the Financial Assistance Department that areable to work will automatically become clients of the one stop career centre, which5will assist in obtaining employment for those persons so that they can re-enter the jobmarket as soon as possible.The workplace has changed dramatically in the last two decades. Many job categorieshave already gone the way of the dinosaur while new categories are being created.These new jobs often require different skills. For example, Information Technology ison the leading edge of job creation. There is an urgent need for the training and retrainingof Bermudian workers to equip them to take advantage of these opportunities.The Government is pleased to share that it is engaged in advanced discussionswith Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking products and services, forthe establishment of a Cisco Academy in Bermuda.This facility will provide certified training for Bermudians and prepare them for workin the IT industry. This is yet another avenue the Government has worked hard toopen as it continues to ensure that Bermuda's young people are equipped to becomefully-fledged members of the skilled workforce in today's knowledge-based worldeconomy.While the Government can provide the programmes to prepare people for work, itmust be remembered that it is not the Government that creates jobs. Private industrycreates demand for jobs that add economic value and drive development. Governmentprovides the enabling environment for private sector job creation.The Government will table a Bill in the first session of Parliament to provide workpermit exemptions and permanent residence to eligible job creators in businessesthat, amongst other criteria: have a significant number of Bermudians represented atall levels of the organisation; and provide entry level positions to young Bermudiansgraduating from high school and college.Government is committed to protecting the interests of Bermudians and the key6sectors of the economy that provide jobs and other significant economic benefits toBermuda.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members ofthe House of Assembly, it was stated in the 2010 Throne Speech that immigrationlegislation, which dates from 1956, is to receive a major overhaul.This is being done in phases. A Land Policy Review Group has been empanelledto review the various policies on land holding and disposition in Bermuda, withparticular emphasis on Permanent Resident's Certificate holders and the foreignpurchaser market. In addition, this year, the Government will focus on outlawingsham marriages and will remove legal barriers denying home ownership to non-Bermudian members of Bermudian families.At the same time, legislation will be amended to remove certain incentives that allowemployers to choose to hire non-Bermudians over Bermudians, because they do nothave to pay social insurance for persons on temporary work permits or include workpermit holders in occupational pension schemes.At a time when there is a disturbing level of unemployment, there is a greater needfor more robust measures that protect Bermudians and encourage their employment.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Membersof the House of Assembly, the Government views its responsibility for sustainingBermuda's, and indeed, the planet's environment as a sacred trust. It is currentlydeveloping a National Infrastructure Strategy for Bermuda which will be completedbefore the end of this calendar year.A key component of the infrastructure strategy is the development of the waterfront inthe City of Hamilton. The Government, the Corporation of Hamilton and the privatesector under the auspices of Bermuda First have formed a Steering Group to driveforward this exciting project. The development will generate jobs and transform the7waterfront in a manner that preserves its stunning beauty while creating a dynamicnew hub for business and entertainment.Green initiatives are the waves of the future, with rich potential to create new jobsand opportunities for entrepreneurs. In this Session of Parliament, the Governmentwill introduce legislation and policies required to implement the innovative measurescontained in the Energy White Paper.Turning to initiatives impacting the economy in general, it was Bill Gates who saidthat we tend to over-estimate the change that will occur in the next couple of yearsbut often under-estimate the change that could occur in the next ten years.Taking that admonition regarding long-range planning to heart, the Governmentwill table legislation to encourage further foreign investment in Bermuda. Foreigninvestment is associated with the transfer of technology, job creation and maintaininga competitive edge in areas of comparative advantage.A review of the Companies Act 1981 has been undertaken. In particular the 60/40ownership regulation was examined with the express aim of finding ways to allow localbusinesses easier access to capital. While the 60/40 provision is generally thought tohave served Bermuda well over the years, now there is a strong view that it could beblocking businesses from access to foreign direct investment.Previously when discussions were held, there was both more resistance and a moreprotectionist stance adopted by stakeholders. That has changed. Given today'seconomic landscape, there is apparent agreement between all business sectors thatthey need greater access to capital. In effect, today's mantra now states: ‘Free upBermuda'.The Government believes that it is also time to review Bermuda's ability to attractand service those who are investing or are interested in investing in the country. As aresult, the Government will soon launch an inter-agency partnership that will provide8a rapid-response capability in support of plans and projects considered economicallyimportant to Bermuda.The unit will provide more red carpet and less red tape.In the same vein, the Ministry of Business Development and Tourism will moderniseand streamline the current system of vetting corporate registrations and sharetransfers.On the international business front, plans are in development to actively marketBermuda as a jurisdiction for Islamic Finance. Interest has been expressed already atthe recent Business Bermuda briefing in New York, where details of the work beingdone by the Islamic Finance Task Force were shared.Coincident with this exciting development, there is now the possibility of new airlinks with Emirates Airlines connecting Bermuda to dynamic and wealthy states inthe Middle East including Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar.The Government recognises the importance of diversifying the economy as Bermudamust attract new sources of revenue. Islamic Finance, asset management and greeninitiatives are all part of a new and enhanced model.In its exploration of new frontiers, the Government is keen to establish a BermudaSpace Enterprise Zone, and a Communication Orbital Slot which will strengthenBermuda's promotion as a global telecommunications hub.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members ofthe House of Assembly, the unrivalled beauty of these islands is a special gift ofwhich every Bermudian is justly proud. It is a gift shared with thousands of visitorseach year, one which helps provide a livelihood for Bermudians and guest workers.Given the context of today's environment, the Government will update and modernise9the Hotel Concession Act, at all times keeping Bermudians in the picture for jobs andentrepreneurial opportunities.The Department of Tourism, in the short-term, will adopt a set of strategic initiativesto address the industry's immediate needs while Bermuda's long-term NationalTourism Plan is being developed.The initiatives include the launch of a new tourism brand, the start of a programmeof corporate games, the reintroduction of college weeks, a scheme to convert cruisevisitors to air visitors. A further option is consideration of a referendum on whetherBermuda should allow gaming.The Government also recognises that more must be done to promote localentertainment. Many of you have already attended some of the bi-weekly tourismevents during this summer which showcased Bermudian entertainment.A signature entertainment product is being developed that will headline Bermudianentertainers and provide them with work, especially in hotels where hiring Bermudiansis a pre-condition for securing concessions from Government.There has also been a constant refrain that there are not enough activities inBermuda to occupy our visiting guests. As a result, the Department of Tourism willapproach cruise directors, cruise operators and entertainment promoters to increaseand promote the number of activities and events available on the Island.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members ofthe House of Assembly, the Government has listened attentively to the views of thecommunity it serves and the challenges facing those who are struggling to cope withrising prices.Accordingly, the Government aims to implement the findings of the Price ControlCommission, including updating the relevant legislation, if this is considered10necessary, to alleviate some of the hardships being endured by Bermuda's consumers.This exercise has begun and is intended to be a collaborative effort between suppliers,retailers and consumers.One cost that impacts all households and businesses is the fuel surcharge. Thenew Energy Commission is examining that concern and the Government awaits itsfindings.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members ofthe House of Assembly, providing the mechanism for creating jobs and getting ourunemployed back to work is indeed a priority. This reduces the strain on our helpingagencies such as the Department of Financial Assistance.However, we must also assure our citizens that there will always be assistance forthose experiencing hardship.Many will recall that the Occupational Pension legislation was amended to allowpersons in financial stress to access to their pension entitlements to meet certainfinancial obligations.Government employees are not immune to those same hardships and the Governmentwill amend the Public Service Superannuation Act 1981 to extend similar allowancesto participants in the scheme.Further, the Government will also be modernising the Contributory Pensions Act1970 to ensure that those in need receive the greatest benefit.Doing more with less means we have to make the best use of available resources byfocusing on the most important goals.The proposed amendments are two-fold. First, the legislation will be amended toimplement means testing with respect to the payment of non-contributory benefits as11opposed to entitlement as a right. Second, the Act is to be amended to mandate thatself-employed persons who consistently neglect paying their pension contributionswithout presenting a valid reason will be denied a non-contributory pension. Everyonewho is gainfully employed must contribute their fair share.In addition, the Government will amend the Contributory Pensions Act 1970 toprevent an employer with pension contribution arrears relating to a prior businessfrom registering an additional business with the Department of Social Insuranceunless the arrears have been settled or an agreed payment plan is being properlymaintained.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members ofthe House of Assembly, a critical component in the fight to reduce gang membershipis preserving and strengthening the family unit, regardless of whether or not bothparents live in the same home.The Government will provide the Bermuda Family Council with a statutory footing.The Council's aim is to promote family cohesion through the development of effectiveparenting skills. Also in support of families, the Government will establish sharedparenting legislation which will seek to avoid bias and provide parents with equalrights and responsibilities when it comes to the welfare of their children.Seniors will be the focus of a Bermuda national strategy on aging. Amendments tothe Human Rights Act will be tabled to eliminate age discrimination. Governmentwill introduce elder abuse legislation and health insurance reforms.One such reform that is already being addressed is the matter of upfront paymentsfor medical treatment. Such payments are a source of hardship to many seniorsand others. No-one who is paying for health insurance should have to forgo medicalattention because they cannot afford to pay a physician up front and then wait to bereimbursed.12The Government is also reviewing the eligibility criteria for Financial Assistance sothat seniors owning their own home are not automatically excluded from access toFinancial Assistance.This review has been prompted by some anomalies in a strict application of theeligibility criteria which are seen as unduly punitive. The Government recognisesthat this is a time when there is a need to ensure the appropriate safety nets are inplace for those who are unable to work and to provide for themselves. The mere factof home ownership may not justify the denial of Financial Assistance.In keeping with its track record of dealing with sometimes controversial social issues,your Government will also be tackling discrimination. While the Government isaware of the sensitivities in the community surrounding sexual orientation, it doesnot condone discrimination in employment and accommodation based on a person'slifestyle choices.Accordingly, Government will assess whether it is feasible to introduce an EqualityAct.Your Government believes that effective philanthropy must always ask threequestions.First, what needs to be done? Second, how can we make a difference? Finally, andmost importantly, why are we doing this?Bermuda has a number of excellent charities striving to assist in building a bettercommunity and a better world. However, in the present environment of fiscaltightening, the Government as well as the business community has reduced theamount of grants to charitable organisations.The Government will be formalising social pacts with the private sector and thevarious charitable and sports organisations to examine how to make better use of thelimited resources. This is the social contract in action.13Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members ofthe House of Assembly, I would like to turn now to the subject of education.This is one area of national development whose critical importance has never beenin question. In the words of the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes, “…it is thefoundation of every nation”.During this year's National Budget Debate, the Minister of Education said, “Our planfor education reform is simple — it is as simple as a return to basics. Our plan is tofocus — single-mindedly — on the reason for our existence — to teach our childrenso that they might learn. Our priority and everything that we do will revolve aroundstudents. Everything that we do will be geared to, and with the sole purpose of, positivelyimpacting our students. As the most important stakeholder in our education system,they will occupy the primary position in our thinking, our plans and our programmesas we work to revive public pride in our public school system.”To this end, the Ministry of Education has consulted with affected parties regardingamendments it proposes to introduce into the House of Assembly to bring Bermudain line with international best practice.The amendments to the Bermuda Educators Council Act 2002 will require that personswho instruct, support and guide students in Bermuda — whether public or private —are fully qualified to do so, in Bermuda and around the world. The amendments willensure that teachers are certified by subject or specialisation, and by teaching andeducation level.The planned amendments will mean that educators at all levels, in the classroom, inadministration, or both, will be required to be registered under the Act. Educatorswill have to meet the requirements relevant to the role that they are performing inschools in order to obtain and maintain educator certification.If principals are the gatekeepers, teachers are the frontline — the soul of our education14system. It is they who must turn our students into scholars excited about learning bydelivering knowledge in an engaging, stimulating and motivating manner.Twenty-first century learners need 21st century teachers who not only possess twentyfirstcentury literacies themselves, but who can also create the learning environmentsthat will enable their students to develop such skills.The Government believes that these changes will give parents, schools and thewider community confidence that those charged with educating Bermuda's studentsmeet set qualification standards, and keep abreast of the relevant and up-to-dateeducational strategies.Consideration is also being given to the formation of Career Academies in Bermuda'spublic school system. This initiative, which is also part of the Job Corps and Workforcedevelopment plan, will see the Island's business and education sectors workingtogether to agree on, and develop, programmes that will meet the future needs of theeconomy.This will operate in tandem with measures that the Government will be taking toaugment the existing technical skills training so as to provide alternative pathwaysto success for our young people.The Government is keen to assure that those who wish to pursue such a course areprepared fully to seize employment opportunities.No-one should have any excuse to choose a dead-end life of crime instead of aconstructive role of opportunities and growth that contributes positively to theircommunity.The Ministry of Community Development, which includes the Department of CulturalAffairs, is said to have the smallest budget but a significant and critical job, to stemthe erosion of Bermudians' cultural identity.15Just recently, Mrs. Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States, eloquentlyexpressed the role of the arts. She said: “It is through our music, our literature, ourart, drama and dance that we tell the story of our past and we express our hopes forthe future. Our artists challenge our assumptions in ways that many cannot and donot. They expand our understandings, and push us to view our world in new and veryunexpected ways…”Despite the financial challenges, the Government will take a new approach to findother ways to inject additional financial support devoted to cultivating the Arts.During this Parliamentary Session the Government will establish an Artists' Registryto recognise the level of experience and work history of our Bermudian artists.Further, the Government will explore incentives for artists to showcase their talentand promote Bermuda as a place where artists of all genres can work.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members ofthe House of Assembly, crime ranks closely behind the economy among Bermudians'concerns. The way society deals with those who break the law is critical. In orderto keep the trust and confidence of the people, your Government believes it mustintroduce measures to protect the public from violent and dangerous offenders.Accordingly, in the area of public safety and justice, the Government will amend theProceeds of Crime Act 1997 and the Criminal Code Act 1907, to allow the seizure ofcash and property that are reasonably suspected to be the proceeds of crime.The Courts will also be allowed, in sentencing, to consider an additional financialpenalty by way of a tariff where certain offences are committed in connection withunlawful gang activity.To mitigate the risk that an inmate granted parole will re-offend, legislation will betabled to ensure that there is a more structured collaboration between Court Servicesand the Bermuda Police Service, mindful of the independence of the Parole Board.16Reforms are also pending for the Criminal Code Act 1907 with the aim of: ensuringthat a person sentenced for a period of less than two years serves a minimum oftwelve months before being eligible for parole; revising the minimum time served forlife sentences before parole; and, permitting judicial discretion to be applied to reflectthe circumstances of a crime.The Ministry of Justice is advancing work on policy to address sexual offenders and amental health treatment Court Programme to address offenders with mental healthchallenges in a more holistic manner.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members ofthe House of Assembly, the Government is considering further proposals based onrecommendations from the Parliamentary subcommittee on crime and violence, theInter-Agency Gang Task Force and other outside agencies.Based on their inputs, the Government intends to re-structure the Inter-Agency GangTask Force working groups so as to reflect their community roles. Other changeswill see key civil servants appointed to lead the groups and the appointment ofspokespersons at Ministerial level. The Government believes that the aims of theInter-Agency Gang Task Force need the support of all sectors of the community tosucceed. The Government will report on the progress of the Task Force and on thesuccess of the Bermuda Ceasefire initiative in the coming months.The Bermuda Police Service has had some significant success in apprehendingoffenders and this has led to more convictions. In tandem with good law enforcement,there is increased responsibility to ensure that citizens' rights are protected.Accordingly, the Government intends to modernise the Police complaints mechanismso as to improve the effectiveness of the Police Complaints Authority. The plan is forthe Authority's investigative resources to be strengthened, and it is anticipated thatretired police officers will be called upon as needed.17Also, the Government is formulating changes to the Defence Act 1965 whichestablished the Bermuda Regiment and conscription.First, the Government will review a recent decision by the Privy Council to takeaccount of any inconsistencies in any discrimination provisions.Second, the Government will table legislation that makes provision for new alternativesto conscription, including the introduction of a National Youth Service.Lastly, a comprehensive review has been completed and recommendations made toimprove access to natural justice for those soldiers who find themselves subject todisciplinary procedures. An improved framework for internal military discipline willprovide for an election of mode and trial venue in certain circumstances.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Membersof the House of Assembly, the Government knows that it is important to keep ouryoung people out of the prison system.Incarceration should only be used where there is no other course of action, for examplein cases where the seriousness of the offence, the history of the offender or the riskto the public is such that a prison sentence is warranted. Government will introducea new sentencing framework for young people including the establishment of a newclassification of sanctions related to different types of drugs.However, there will be less tolerance for impaired driving offences. The Governmentwill table legislation to increase penalties for drunk driving and to expand the useof breathalysers. It also plans to mandate DUI education for all disqualified drivers.Like many jurisdictions, Bermuda is faced with the challenge of transforming thepublic sector so as to improve efficiency, give value for taxpayers' money and reducedebt.18In today's context, it is even more important that, in delivering public services tocitizens, there is easier access and friendly customer relations.Technology has changed the way things are done in Government. Just this year, theGovernment introduced a website to solicit feedback from Government employees.The responses were overwhelming!The Government is heartened by the sense of responsibility displayed in some of thesuggestions. All suggestions are receiving serious consideration and recommendationsare being reviewed for implementation, wherever feasible.Service transformation is about getting a better deal for citizens and businesses, anda better deal for the taxpayer. It is about putting people's needs at the heart of thesystem.To meet the needs of stakeholders, your Government has tasked the Public Service toincrease efficiency and professionalism in the delivery of programmes and services.The Government believes that poor service reflects badly on its entire organisation.The concept of service and what determines its level of quality must be understood byall members of the Civil Service from the top to the bottom.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members ofthe House of Assembly, in regard to health services, the Government will re-designthe standard hospital benefit. The re-design will target overseas care costs which areconsidered excessive.The Ministry of Health's Finance and Reimbursement Task Group and the HealthBenefit Task Group are working closely together to price the new benefit package anddevelop a financial model for claims payment.Further, in seeking to provide greater access to basic health services Government19is assessing whether it is more efficient and affordable to the community to assistpersons seeking financial assistance for dental and medical expenses by providingthem access to these services in Government clinics in the eastern, western andcentral parishes.The Government has commenced work on the next phase of good governancelegislation. As with any ambitious transformation, your Government had to learnlessons and acknowledge that sometimes mistakes have been made and things havegone wrong. The Government regrets those mistakes.Accountability is a high priority for the Government of Bermuda. It has sent a strongand unequivocal message that it has zero tolerance for behaviour and practices thatdo not accord with the highest standards of good governance.Accordingly, the Government will introduce legislation to enable public authoritiesincluding the Director of Internal Audit and the Auditor General to “follow the money”,that is, ensuring that money paid to vendors, contractors and organisations receivinggrants is used for the purpose for which it was authorized.Government also will expand whistle-blower legislation to include persons not coveredunder the Employment Act including part-time and temporary staff and vendors andcontractors.In addition, Government will introduce legislation outlawing the provision ofinducements whether in the public or private sector.Taken together, these statutes will set out the rules of engagement which must beconsistently applied when engaging in financial transactions and contracts in allpublic authorities, including quangos.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members ofthe House of Assembly, in addition to the raft of legislative initiatives that have20been highlighted previously, during this Session, the Legislature will be invited toconsider a number of other Bills and statutory instruments, including:• Criminal Code Amendment Act 2011• Sexual Offenders Act 2011• Prisons Amendment Act 2011• Protected Species Amendment Act 2011• Waste and Litter Control Amendment Act 2011• The establishment of a Taxi Authority• Public Nuisance Legislation (also known as crack-house legislation)• Electronic Monitoring legislation to extend electronic monitoring to paroleesand for a wider range of offendersMadam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Members ofthe House of Assembly, it is often said that the first step towards getting somewhereis to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.The Government believes it has made clear that the measures outlined in today'sThrone Speech constitute an unequivocal declaration that it has no intention ofallowing Bermuda to stay where it is.As stated at the outset, the Government's policies and programmes are intended torestore harmony and help put Bermuda back on the road to prosperity. This road willnot be smooth nor the goal achieved easily.Global economic uncertainty is expected to continue and will remain a threat toBermuda. But your Government wants you to remember the essence of the Bermudabrand, namely, that this Island nation has a reputation for being resourceful and ahistory of overcoming adversity.21Every sector of society, every citizen from every walk of life is called upon to worktogether, recognising that each has a role to play, each can contribute to the greatergood of the community.The challenges may be daunting but they are not insurmountable. The Governmentis firmly of the view that if Bermuda's people work together, if Bermudians put asidetheir differences, and concentrate on finding common ground, Bermuda will be ableto work through this difficult period.Indeed, it is your Government's intention that Bermuda will emerge from the recessionstronger than when it entered it.“Let Us Build One Another, Together”.That ringing exhortation by President Mandela ends this summary of the BermudaGovernment's programme for next year.Convention allows the Governor to add a personal codicil. I could talk on differentthemes notably my determination to help the agencies of law and order where I can.But I shall confine myself to one suggestion.The Throne Speech has referred to tough choices and tough decisions. I would like tomake a plea for donors corporate and personal, to smile upon charities which performessential services. Bermuda is a country of low taxes and small scale government.Your island is proud of that, and rightly so.Only about half as much of Bermuda's wealth is used by the public sector, just over 20per cent of your wealth, as in the UK. Some essential services are left to the voluntarysector. That voluntary sector meets the challenge and delivers some services withoutwhich Island life would be different.22Without the St. John Ambulances, for example, Cup Match, motocross, powerboatracing at Ferry Reach and the rugby classic beginning this Sunday would, I think, allbe deemed unsafe.And without the LCCA some patients needing air evacuation for emergency treatmentin Baltimore or Boston would suffer. I hope these charities are helped enough forthem to support your Island of Bermuda through the recession.Madam President and Members of the Senate, Mr. Speaker and Membersof the House of Assembly, I declare this Session open and may God grant you hiswisdom in your deliberations.Sir Richard Hugh Turton Gozney KCMG, CVOGovernor and Commander-in-ChiefBermuda4 November 2011