Mr. President and Members of the Senate: Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly: On this historic and momentous day, we gather in this honourable Chamber humbled by the responsibility placed on us by the People of Bermuda.

This has been a momentous year. Barely two weeks ago, the voters of this country made a change of titanic proportions. They elected the first Progressive Labour Party Government after thirty years of United Bermuda Party rule. With this election, Bermuda also gained its first elected woman Premier.

Two achievements that amply confirm Bermuda's `coming of age'.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate: Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly: You have earned the trust of the people of this country; as demonstrated by the outpouring of support that filled even the hallowed grounds outside this chamber. You have been elected to lead this country into a new era -- an immense task that will require a new sense of determination, a new sense of vision, and most importantly a new regard for the people who have elected you.

The assembled Progressive Labour Party Government members represent the realisation of the hopes and dreams of many, many Bermudians and this Government is committed to doing all in its power to satisfy the aspirations of those who dared to dream and acted to make that dream come true.

This new Government pledges to involve Bermuda's people at all levels, and at all stages, in the execution of our duties to create an inclusive framework for the building of one Bermuda...The New Bermuda.

This first Throne Speech of the new Government sets out the Legislative programme for the forthcoming year. It represents the first step in the social and economic reconstruction of government to create a country that is a land of opportunity for all.

As Government transforms the jubilation of victory into the energy of service, there are several areas of Bermudian life that require immediate Parliamentary attention.

Government will move swiftly in this first Parliamentary Session to begin to fulfil the plans identified in its Platform. It will, as promised, always put Bermuda's people first -- in legislative initiatives and in the implementation of new policies.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate: Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly: In order to lay the proper foundation for true educational success and the mobilisation of the talent of every Bermudian, Government proposes to introduce amendments to the Education Act to ensure an education system that works better for all of our students.

Such amendments will provide for the introduction of attendance officers to deal with truancy, create representative/elected school boards, and give schools autonomy over the service they deliver to their communities.

The establishment of a uniform national curriculum for each level of schooling from pre-school to senior school, coupled with the introduction of a policy on mandated class sizes, will be the foundation of this Government's platform commitment to raise the standard of education.

These amendments will be the first step to ensuring our students receive a quality education that will equip them for the demands of life in the new Millennium.

In keeping with this Government's long-standing policy that there should be a link between children's optimum learning age and attendance at school, the improvement of our pre-schools will receive immediate attention in the following areas: adequacy of all facilities and staffing. This will ensure the provision of sufficient spaces for all four-year-olds. In addition, so as to optimise the learning process, trained professionals will be placed at all pre-schools with no loss of jobs. Para-professionals currently serving will be relocated in Primary schools.

Para-professionals will thus enhance the development of our children at the Primary school P1 and P2 levels, while fully qualified teachers, the best facilitators of educational development, perform this service at the crucial stage of the early learning years. This solution provides a better use of manpower resources and gives our young students a better start.

To this end, Government will move to place all pre-schools under the Ministry of Education; ensure that all school playgrounds are properly secured and all playground equipment is safe and functional; abolish the policy of School Zones where due to zoning, children must travel by bus to attend school even when there are places available in their neighbourhood school; And, where necessary, construct purpose-built pre-schools to ensure that increases in population are met with the required facilities, in order to provide all four year olds with an opportunity to learn.

At the tertiary level, Government remains committed to the further development of resources and programmes at the Bermuda College to enhance its role as Bermuda's intellectual storehouse.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate: Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly: Earlier this week, Government promised to rule out `pockets of sloppiness'; this initiative will begin with the Ministry of Works and Engineering, where all contracts will be reviewed with a view to increasing efficiency, curbing wastage, controlling expenditure, and being responsive to the community.

In addition, Government will review the condition of all bridges, particularly those at the East End of the Island.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate: Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly: While it is commendable that 82% of the electorate voted, it is distressing that many eligible voters were unable to participate in the democratic process. Amendments to the Parliamentary Election Act 1971 will be introduced to adequately address the People's needs. Government will ensure that the greatest number of voters eligible, are able to vote.

The expensive and unnecessary system of annual registration will be abolished.

A simpler format can, and will, be implemented.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate: Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly: For far too long our Tourism Industry, a once vital source of revenue, has been allowed to recess into failure, and Government will therefore move swiftly to ensure that next season is more profitable for both our hospitality workers and our guest properties.

Within its first one hundred days, Government will establish a National Tourism Action Group, embracing representatives of ancillary interests. This Group will be the embryo of a restructured Bermuda Tourism Board, which will play a more pro-active role in developing tourism strategies; while the Government and Department of Tourism provide leadership for this vital facet of our economy.

Government is committed to recapturing the Bermudian identity of Bermuda's Tourism product, and motivating all sectors of the industry to deliver, not only a uniquely Bermudian vacation experience, but one that exceeds our visitor's expectations.

Government will move to create improved and expanded incentives for the Tourism Industry, revitalise competition, and increase Bermudian employment opportunities in the industry. In addition, Department of Tourism contracts will be reviewed.

In co-operation with ongoing Monitor initiatives, Government will be calling every stakeholder to assist us in making this "A New Bermuda'' for our Tourism Industry as well.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate: Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly: Quality of life at all ages will be the Government's focus in recognition of Bermuda's seniors; Government will provide recreational programmes and interaction with youth and community groups. They will also provide activities for our seniors that will enhance their lifestyles and make them an integral part of the New Bermuda.

In addition, the deplorable state of Bermuda's Rest Homes will be addressed through a phased development plan to refurbish and renovate current Seniors Rest Homes.

Government will investigate the current health insurance system with the view of not only providing relief to our senior citizens, who experience the financial burden of medical care not covered by insurance, but also expanding the benefits to include paternity leave for males employed in the civil service.

Government will table legislation to guard cultural property and establish a Cultural Commission to advise the Minister.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate: Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly: The ongoing training and development of the Civil Service is paramount to the Government's vision of A New Bermuda, and vital to the development of new programmes and new initiatives.

Housing is a priority this Government must address. They believe the provision of truly affordable housing to young families raising children, is a long-term investment in the fabric of family life.

There should be no homelessness in a country as rich as Bermuda. Negotiations will be conducted with the Ministry of Development and Opportunity to provide an integral link to the housing components, in the short term, utilising the baselands. Government will work to see that as many Bermudians as possible become homeowners.

Both the Orange Valley Facility and the Opportunity Workshop will be transferred to Social Services, where emphasis can be placed on the needs of challenged people in a `Continuum of Care' that fosters their maximum development. In exchange, the Education Ministry will gain the Child Development Project.

The National Drug Commission will be transferred to the Ministry of Social Services, to enhance the programmes by co-ordinating the provision of such services to the community.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate: Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly: In order to maintain Bermuda's status as a premier financial jurisdiction, the Government will ensure that Bermuda continues to attract the most successful corporate entities. The New Bermuda cannot continue to conduct business as it always has in the International Companies arena, hence significant product enhancement is required if Bermuda is to remain attractive to the leading corporate bodies.

At the earliest opportunity, Government will commission an in-depth study into the future requirements of this rapidly growing segment of our population.

Government, having the benefit of extensive consultation with international company executives, has prepared a schedule of legislation that will offer a wider range of financial products that will not only satisfy present locally-based companies, but will also attract new business.

In the sphere of International Companies, there are several areas in our infrastructure that require immediate attention. Government will implement comprehensive legislative reform as it pertains to Intellectual Property, with a view to the creating better products and protecting their copyright.

Experienced Bermudian consultants will move swiftly to draft legislation and business plans that will provide the proper regulatory framework for the creation of an E-Commerce industry.

Government will ensure that Bermuda presents opportunities, not obstacles, to captive industry incorporation. Legislative processes will be made more expeditious.

In Bermuda, we are able to provide our clients with almost every facility that the global company needs.