Energy, essential goods among Throne Speech pledges
Empowering the Cost of Living Commission to “examine the books and records of all businesses involved in the supply of food and other essential goods” stood out among relief measures pledged in the 2025 Speech from the Throne.
Legal reform and a security and defence review were also promised as Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, read out the newly elected Government’s policies and plans for the new parliamentary session.
Mr Murdoch addressed MPs, senators, senior members of the legal fraternity and other dignitaries who had gathered on the lawn of the Cabinet Office to hear the 15-page document.
It was comparatively brief, coming four months after the Throne Speech at the reconvening of Parliament last November.
Ahead of the reading, David Burt, the Premier, said that the Government had intentionally avoided repeating items from its previous speech.
Wearing ceremonial whites and a plumed hat, Mr Murdoch said the Government would continue to wage war on the rising cost of living.
Mr Murdoch called the cost of goods “shocking”. “Bermudians are feeling that pressure daily,” he added.
“The Government must act decisively to tackle this problem, ensuring that duty relief reaches the people, who need lower costs, and not just corporate bottom lines.”
Hinting at a possible confrontation with retailers, Mr Murdoch said: “The Government has taken steps to reduce costs for grocers and wholesalers importing goods into Bermuda with the expectation that these cost savings would be reflected at the register.
“To ensure that such reductions are passed on to consumers and not to profits, the Government will implement fair pricing control and pricing transparency measures while expanding the categories of essential goods accruing 0 per cent import duty.
Reading from the statement, Mr Murdoch said: “Further, the Government will amend the Cost of Living Commission Act 1974 to expand the investigatory powers of the Cost of Living Commission to examine the books and records of all businesses involved in the supply of food and other essential goods.
“For far too long, business has profited at the expense of everyday Bermudians and the sunshine of public scrutiny cannot just apply to the Government — it must also apply to those on whom Bermudians rely to purchase the goods to sustain themselves.”
The Government pledged to amend the Regulatory Authority’s mandate to oversee both regulated and unregulated sectors, “ensuring transparent pricing, fair competition, enhanced consumer protection, and the power to prevent unnecessary concentration of market power in key sectors”.
Mr Murdoch said the Government had placed “the highest priority to the development of affordable housing for Bermudians”.
“The expansion of housing supply in Bermuda is critical to our future economic fortune, and the Government will leave no stone unturned in this effort.”
Also in the pipeline is a revamp of landlord and tenant laws “to support mutually positive rental relationships”.
Mr Murdoch highlighted a “full review” planned for the Children Act 1998 to ensure that “its provisions are in keeping with modern best practice, flexible enough to handle the additional dimensions of caring for children in 2025”.
Changes to healthcare are in the Government’s sights in the coming year with work ongoing to implement a universal healthcare system focused on efficiency, prevention and primary care.
Mr Murdoch said the Government would expand the Health Insurance Plan “to include an annual preventive doctor’s visit and examine the options to expand specialist coverage under FutureCare, in a bid to make healthcare more accessible”.
The days of patients spending weeks and months in hospital after they have recovered from illness could be numbered.
The Throne Speech declared that “measures will be introduced to facilitate the timely discharge of patients from the hospital once acute care is no longer necessary”.
The Throne Speech went on: “The power to discharge may free up space in the hospital, but if persons have nowhere to go that will only increase stress on families.
“There are four care homes that are in various phases of development and the Government is committed to expanding the interest-free loan scheme for home modifications for seniors and the disabled.”
An education authority will “change how public education is funded, governed, and led”, although the Government will continue with its shake-up of the school system and the creation of signature schools.
A review of mental health laws — now almost 60 years old — is also promised in order to “modernise processes and provide greater protection for those who interact with Bermuda’s public mental health services”.
Electoral reform — a standout issue in the run-up to last month’s General Election — is also on the cards.
The Throne Speech stated: “Electoral and Constitutional reforms should mirror the times in which we live and the strength of systems is in their ability to adjust to meet the demands of the times.
“The policy work on the precise nature of that consultative process has begun and a report will be introduced for the consideration of the legislature as we wrestle with this critical requirement for the advancement of our constitutional system and relationship with His Majesty’s Government in London.”
After presenting the Speech to the Throne — a document drafted by the Government — Andrew Murdoch gave some insights into his own thoughts on the governance of Bermuda, applauding the newly installed Burt Administration for its commitment to fairness and accountability.
Mr Murdoch, who took over as the King’s representative in Bermuda in January, said: “It is a privilege to be part of this tradition so recently after my swearing in. The importance of fairness, good governance and accountability are at the heart of the Constitution.
“I therefore welcome the Government’s commitment to serve every Bermudian with fairness and accountability. The importance of these principles, and the maintenance of, and respect for, the separation of powers of institutions under the Constitution cannot be underestimated.“
Claiming that recent global events had led to a world that felt “increasingly uncertain and unstable”, Mr Murdoch said: “In such times there is a need not just to maintain these principles of good governance, but to protect and strengthen them.
“The stability that Bermuda offers to its people and visitors, including with its world-class regulatory mechanisms and independent judiciary, are essential to Bermuda’s health and future prosperity. As Governor I will contribute to championing these principles in the execution of my duties, and in partnership with the Government.”
Mr Murdoch, a lawyer who previously served as the legal director of the Foreign Office, said he looked forward to the Government’s pledge to reinstitute and restore the Law Reform Commission.
He said: “A well-resourced and effective commission, which engages with members of the public, civil society and institutions, can play a key role in modernising criminal and civil law for the benefit of Bermuda.
Mr Murdoch, who also served in the Royal Navy, said: “I also welcome the commitment to refresh the 2014 Security and Defence Review. It is, as the Government acknowledges, a critical task.
“This work will help ensure the uniformed services have the strategic direction to continue to meet the needs of Bermuda both now and in the years to come.
“My time exploring the island has brought into sharp relief the importance and extent of Bermuda’s unique natural environment. With climate change and global losses of biodiversity, the danger to the environment is clear and present.
“I note the Government’s plan to protect the environment and encourage all those involved to work together and act before it is too late. We all have a duty to do what we can to protect the environment for those generations that follow us.”
• To read the 2025 Throne Speech in full, see Related Media
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