Seniors struggling to pay their medical fees, anti-conscription campaigners and pro-human rights groups were among the winners of Government’s Throne Speech delivered today.The speech — the Progressive Labour Party’s final Throne Speech before the next general election — also announced plans to invigorate tourism by offering residential benefits to tourists, while Government is seeking investment from the Gulf Cooperation Council for a number of tourism initiatives.Governor George Fergusson, reading the Speech on Cabinet grounds this morning, said a prescription drug benefit, covering 100 percent of the cost of generic drugs, will be added to FutureCare, with trade name prescriptions covered at 80 percent, with an annual limit of $2,000.Elderly people on Financial Assistance will also see their GP visits covered by HIP and FutureCare, while seniors who are homeowners or have an interest in property — currently ineligible for financial assistance — could gain relief from amendments to the Financial Assistance Regulations.Following many years of campaigning by the Bermudians Against the Draft, Mr Fergusson said conscription would be ended, allowing for an expanded full-time element of the Regiment.Amendments will be made to the Defence Act, he said, while a timetable for the end of conscription will be revealed in 2013 by the Ministry of National Security.Meanwhile discrimination based on sexual orientation and age — currently missing from the Human Rights Act — will finally be addressed, with a new broader piece of legislation set to be introduced this Parliamentary session.Plans to rejuvenate the tourism industry will be boosted by offering a form of residency to tourists who invest in Bermuda through the purchase of tourism zoned units.In addition, business, capital and visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council region will be targeted by a Government task force, aimed at redeveloping the Hamilton Waterfront, the airport and hotel development.And while many expect an election to be called within days, Premier Paula Cox hinted much work will still be done in the current Parliamentary session.She indicated a raft of bills are set to be debated, giving Government power to intervene in the case of troubled banks, review pension arrangements, allow for a referendum on gaming, and crack down on illegal dumpsters.The Throne Speech opened with a Nigerian proverb: “In the moment of crisis, the foolish build dams, but the wise build bridges.”And offering hope that the end of the recession is near, the Throne Speech said: “As the people of Bermuda look ahead to the end of the greatest economic stress in several generations, tunnel vision and shortsightedness will not deliver the full prize of full economic recovery.“Your Government has a plan that sustains fiscal prudence, embraces diversity, sows seeds for renewed prosperity, nurtures the youth, preserves dignity for senior citizens, maintains safety and security for the people, and regenerates positive community values.”This afternoon, reacting to news grant funding will be provided to Bermuda Industrial Union’s Credit Union, president Graham Nisbett said the initiative now had more clients as its services had been opened up to members of other unions.He could not say how large the Government grant would be. But he did say that the credit union was not in the red.Other pledges included:An Education Act aims to improve the oversight of tutorial sites, including registration and withdrawal policies, and monitor student progress.The Salvation Army will get a long lease of a Government property for nominal rent, for a homeless shelter.The new hospital will help promote medical tourism on the Island.A Tourism Development Act will give a broader range of concessions to tourism investors, and make provision for training Bermudians and for Bermudian entertainment.A “blue economy” National Aquaculture Strategy will be created to “develop a myriad of local marine-based industries” such as water tourism and water energy.Technology will be used to reduce the reliance on paper forms and remove red tape from the immigration process.The Bermuda Government Scholarships Act will be amended to modernise funding of Ministry educational grants, loans and scholarships.Screening of two-year-old children by the Child Development Programme will be made mandatory and extended to include children up to age three.The Ministries of Health and Education will work together in the fight against obesity, encouraging children to become more active and bring healthy food to school.Each parish council will create a Hall of Fame for sporting heroes.A bronze statue will be created for Olympic legend Clarence Hill.A date will be set for the reopening of St George Golf Course, to be landscaped and managed by Bermudians only.Family-oriented evenings such as movie nights, concerts and craft markets will be set up at National Parks, called “After Dark in the Park”.Parish Councils will be given an increased role in strengthening community life through community development legislation.Seniors in elder care facilities will benefit from a schedule of sightseeing outings.A Declaration of Principles will be drawn up by Government and the charitable sector, to create a “proactive social agenda” for charity work.Government is in talks with the YMCA to set up turnkey youth development programmes across the Island.The Regiment will be focused on an enhanced maritime role, greater involvement in border control and link-up with other uniformed services.A new Judicial Complaints Authority will give people the chance to raise complaints of power abuse by adjudicators.A Department of Court Administration will give more autonomy to the judiciary process.A decrease to the current Bermuda statutory interest rate will be considered to help long-term financial hardships for low income-debtors. Alternative relief programmes will be considered.Government will review the practices of debt collection agencies to ensure they are being fair to consumers.