This is the full text of the Throne Speech delivered today by Governor Sir John Vereker.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly

"First in the heart is the dream -

Then the mind starts seeking a way…

A community of hands to help -

Thus the dream becomes not one man's dream alone,

But a community dream.

Not my dream alone, but our dream.

Not my world alone,

But your world and my world . . ." - Langston Hughes

Hurricane Fabian bore down on us on Friday September 5th 2003, with a vengeance. It left a path of destruction in its wake. However, Bermudians, residents, and visitors alike collectively demonstrated resilience, humanity and humility.

As everyday heroes emerged during our time of crisis, it was the best in most that shined brightest.

Indeed . . . in the words of Charles Dickens, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . ."

The outstanding accomplishments in the days following Fabian's wrath could not have been possible through the efforts of any single individual or organisation. Instead, there was a shared determination and unwavering solidarity amongst families, friends and communities.

Social, political, and geographical differences were put aside as each resident of our island home, from Town Cut to Mangrove Bay, Ducking Stool to Spittal Pond put family, neighbours, and country before self to help restore safety and normalcy to our community.

Unfortunately, Hurricane Fabian will be remembered for more than just the financial and environmental damage it caused to our idyllic shores.

September 5th will always be tinged with sadness, as members of our Island family mourn the loss of their loved ones.

On behalf of the people of Bermuda, the Government offers its condolences to the families and loved ones grieving the outcome of what was possibly the worst recorded hurricane in Bermuda's history.

That spirit of community so pervasive during and immediately following Hurricane Fabian must be carried forward into this new Parliamentary Session.

In this way, we will not only have recovered impressively from Hurricane Fabian, but we will have become a more caring and compassionate people.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly

Good Governance will be a key feature of this Government.

Trust is the hallmark of any good relationship, but trust must be earned, and once earned, should never be taken for granted.

Fairness, openness, and accountability will represent the bedrock of this Government so that all of Bermuda's people and institutions are subject to the same standards of fairness and propriety.

In the next Parliamentary Session the Government will bring forward legislation to create the Office of the Ombudsman.

This Office will be a watershed for Bermuda, providing an avenue for any resident with a grievance against the Government to lodge a complaint and to seek redress for alleged wrongs or omissions committed against them by the Government.

Additionally, to give greater rights and protection to citizens who provide personal information to the Government or private businesses, the Government will bring forward Data Protection Legislation.

To further entrench transparency as a virtue of governance in Bermuda, the Government will review proposals for the establishment of Public Access to Information Legislation. This legislation will establish guidelines for certain documents and government information to be made available to the public.

As a sophisticated community and a premier jurisdiction for international business, the Government believes it is no longer appropriate for Ministers to serve on a part-time basis. Therefore, the Government will begin the process of establishing full-time Government Ministers.

The Government will also consider amendments to the Parliamentary Election Act 1978 to provide for Absentee Balloting in an effort to further extend the voting franchise in Bermuda.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly

Sound economic management is essential to our continued success. . . particularly with the uncertainty of the world we live in today.

The events of September 11th 2001, and our recent encounter with Hurricane Fabian have certainly brought this fact closer to home.

While catastrophes may fall outside of our control, a sound fiscal management plan will help us to chart our way through such disasters and maintain Bermuda's economic stability.

The Government will review and modernise existing Financial Services Legislation in keeping with the KPMG recommendations. Existing Acts will be amended to bring Bermuda in line with international compliance requirements and best practice.

The Government has demonstrated its commitment to the sustainability of the economy by challenging its own departments to implement Zero Based Budgeting initiatives.

By requiring departments to examine and justify their needs in more detail, the Government will ensure greater accountability for those who are charged with spending public funds.

In the upcoming year, the Government will partner with the banking sector to develop an initiative aimed at helping small businesses and entrepreneurs.

This initiative has the support of the leading banks in Bermuda and will provide greater access to loans and working capital, the enhancement of business planning and management skills and improved contract bidding and administration.

The Government firmly believes that this partnership will herald the beginning of a new era of community banking in Bermuda.

During this Parliamentary Session, the first Consumer Affairs Annual Report will be introduced into both Houses of the Legislature. Over 800 complaints were lodged with the Consumer Affairs Board in 2001 - all were addressed, and most were successfully resolved.

The Government will consider the introduction of regulations under the Electronic Transactions Act 1999 that would make it a criminal offence for a person or business to send unsolicited bulk e-mail traffic or Spam mail to citizens without their prior permission.

The Standard for Electronic Transactions will also be amended to enhance consumer protection for on-line transactions.

To compete successfully against our larger competitors in the tourism market, all residents must understand the importance of tourism to the overall success of our economy.

To this end, tourism educational programmes will become an integral part of our national education curriculum.

A new strategic marketing plan will be developed for the United Kingdom, North America and Europe.

Restructuring is also planned for our overseas tourism offices.

Links will be established between the World Heritage Site of St. George's, and other World Heritage Sites in the United States and Europe. This will afford Bermuda the opportunity to display its unique heritage internationally.

Additionally, the Government will find creative ways of highlighting our rich cultural heritage following the success of the Edinburgh Tattoo, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and CARIFESTA.

The Government will also seek partnerships with air carriers in an effort to lower the cost of airfares, and to attract additional air carriers to Bermuda.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly

We are blessed to live in Bermuda and the Government will continue to provide resources that will enhance the Quality of Life of our citizens.

To the world, we are a prosperous nation . . . but our prosperity extends well beyond financial wealth.

Our greatest riches are found in the eyes of our young people, and in the hearts and minds of our seniors.

Success is abundant in the halls of our educational institutions and our educational system not only accommodates those students to whom learning comes naturally, but also presents opportunities to those who face challenges and adversity in the pursuit of education and knowledge.

In recent years, opportunities have been expanded and Bermudians now have the guarantee of human rights and the ability to travel abroad for leisure, sports, education, training and business.

During the last year, Bermudians also gained the right to live and seek work in any of the countries that comprise the European Union.

Yet, while Bermuda has been blessed in so many ways, the country's prosperity is still not yet shared on an equitable basis.

To address Bermuda's housing needs, the Government will take a collaborative approach to land development and housing. Utilising the collective resources of the quasi-governmental organisations responsible for land development and housing and resources within the private sector, the Government will establish a coordinated approach to the provision of affordable and emergency housing in Bermuda.

If every Bermudian is to feel a part of the success of this country, we have to establish a sense of community across the length and breadth of our island home.

During this Parliamentary Session, the Government will consider a variety of grass-root initiatives to ensure that every member or our community can develop their skills and talents.

One such initiative is the St. Monica's Mission Neighbourhood Initiative, designed to address the specific needs of the St. Monica's community.

To ensure that the success of that programme can be repeated throughout the Island, the Government will establish it as a model for the development and renewal of other communities in Bermuda.

Mr. President and Members of the SenateMr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly

Drug use and addiction are a pernicious evil and the saddest realities of our times. They encourage and drive a significant segment of our criminal activity and as a consequence deteriorate the fabric of the very community that we are hoping to build in Bermuda.

To further address this social ill, the Government will re-establish Community Drug Treatment Services in conjunction with a more robust approach to combating drug use in the community.

The Government will amend the Police Complaints Authority Act 1998 to meet the needs of both the public and the Bermuda Police Service.

The Government is also working on a blueprint for a National Youth Service. This initiative will allow young people from local youth service organisations to work together to enhance service to the community.

To ensure that children are not exploited or forced into the workplace at the expense of the enjoyment of their childhoods, the Government will review the Child Labour laws to determine whether there is a need for amendments to regulate the participation of children in the workplace.

In line with the E-Business Green Paper, the Government will also consider Child Protection Measures to provide greater protection against online child pornography and the targeting of minors on websites.

Mr. President and Members of the SenateMr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly

Bermuda's workmen's clubs have played a significant role in Bermuda's development. To ensure that they continue to provide a service to the community, the Government will review and report on the state of Sports and Workmen's Clubs in Bermuda.

A National Sports Foundation will be established in collaboration with the National Sports Bodies to help raise and disburse private sector funding for the development of sport and individual athletes.

Additionally, workshops will be developed to encourage sporting groups to become self-sufficient by having a variety of initiatives from which to develop income sources.

To fully develop this community, we must be prepared to make a significant investment in the education of our children.

Following discussions over the last year to develop a clearly articulated mission statement, realistic strategies and clear attainable objectives for the Bermuda Educational System, Action Plans from the Bermuda Education Strategic Team (B.E.S.T.) are being formulated with a completion date set for later in the year.

These action plans will result in a number of policy initiatives that will provide for substantive improvements to Bermuda's public school system.

The Education Act 1996 will be amended to create school boards for families of schools in order to facilitate effective site-based management and governance of maintained schools.

The Government will also introduce School Support Rules that will define the expectations for both students and parents within the public school system. These Rules will be aligned with Parents' Rights and Responsibilities contained in the existing Code of Conduct.

A programme stressing the importance of Character Education is presently being piloted at three of our primary schools and a Math Literacy Project has been launched at the primary school level to strengthen the math skills of our young people.

The National Training Board has concluded its work with the Bermuda College on the design and development of an Associate of Applied Technology Degree. This programme will be ready for implementation later this year.

It will fall to our administrators, teachers and support staff to implement these programmes and to ensure the success of our public school system. In recognition of that fact, we pause to salute these dedicated professionals.

Although it is their time and effort that makes education a successful pursuit for our young people, it is parents who should have the single most important role in ensuring that children have the opportunity to meet their fullest potential.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly

The Government recognises that our seniors are an important link with our past and therefore integral to the development of a wholesome community of the future. Their contribution to Bermuda will not be overlooked.

The restructuring and upgrading of Bermuda's Rest Homes and Long Term Care Facilities is intended to provide a safe, comfortable, and healthy living environment for our seniors.

A comprehensive review is also underway to recommend and implement ways to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities.

The health and safety of workers in this country will receive greater attention through amendments to the Health & Safety at Work Act 1982. These amendments will increase the protection of workers and ensure that employers adhere to minimum workplace standards.

Mr. President and Members of the SenateMr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly

This Government has a zero tolerance towards crime - All crime!

Residents and visitors alike should be able to rest securely in their homes and guest accommodations, walk safely on our streets, and have confidence that they will arrive safely at their intended destinations after having travelled on our roads.

The Government intends to address the cavalier disregard for the basic rules of the road and to strengthen legislation to address acts of lawlessness within our community.

In an effort to address traffic offenders who consistently provide false information when stopped by the Police, the Government will bring forward amendments to hold such individuals accountable for misleading the authorities.

Proposals are also under consideration to increase fines and penalties for speeding.

Additionally, the introduction of Crash Helmet Safety Standards will ensure the safety of riders through stringent and consistent regulations governing crash helmets.

The Government will amend the Criminal Code to expand the powers of arrest for assault and to increase penalties for assaults where everyday items are used as weapons, and where knives and other weapons are used in attacks.

In an effort to improve the environment at local sporting grounds, the Government will also amend the Criminal Code to establish Sports Clubs as increased penalty zones.

As a result, a person convicted for a violent offence or for the possession of drugs in these increased penalty zones could become the subject of a one-time banning order from all sporting grounds in the Island.

A more robust approach will be taken to the prosecution of white-collar crime. The Bermuda Monetary Authority Act 1969 will be amended to expand the existing definition of Financial Crime, thereby increasing the powers of the Bermuda Monetary Authority to detect and assist in the investigation of Financial Crime.

In keeping with international efforts to combat terrorism, the Government will amend the Criminal Code to target both the threat of terrorist activity and the financing of terrorist activities.

The Proceeds of Crime Act 1997 will be amended to strengthen the provisions for money laundering.

Bermuda's laws dealing with Theft, Fraud, and Commercial Crime, which no longer fully meet the needs of our modern society, will be amended to take advantage of technological advances that have been made in recent years.

In an effort to address matters pertaining to crime, punishment, justice and law and order, the Government is reviewing legislation related to criminal procedures.

Further, the Government has initiated a high level discussion with the Bermuda Police Service regarding their attention to those duties and responsibilities that contribute to the maintenance of 'law and good order.' This is intended to result in a greater presence of police patrols on our streets.

The product of these discussions is a commitment by both the Government and the Bermuda Police Service to provide reports to the public that will keep them informed of progress that continues to be made in the pursuit of law and good order in the community.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly

Sustainable Development characterizes the relationship between Bermuda's citizens, institutions, industries and the environment.

The Government will ensure that development in Bermuda is sustainable and that due care and respect are given to our physical environment, while balancing the needs of the population, economy, and infrastructure.

To ensure that existing environmental laws are kept up to date and enforced, and that new initiatives are properly implemented, the Government will add an Environmental Compliance Officer to its ranks to ensure more effective compliance with environmental standards.

Not since the 1990 fish pot ban have regulators considered the importance of the marine environment in its entirety. Through extensive consultation with the commercial fishing industry, recreational mariners, and tourist operators, the Marine Resources Board has developed coherent and equitable policies that will address the long-term future of Bermuda's marine environment.

These recommendations have been synthesised in a White Paper on the Marine Environment and the Fishing Industry in Bermuda that will be presented to the Legislature in the year ahead.

To further protect Bermuda's fragile marine environment, the importation and use of additional types of anti-fouling paints for use on boats will be prohibited through amendments to The Fisheries (Anti-Fouling Paints Prohibition) Amendment Regulations 2003.

A Cats Bill that will provide a comprehensive licensing and registration programme for domestic cats, and for the spaying of cats not intended for breeding will address the problem of feral cats in Bermuda.

The Government also intends to introduce asbestos abatement legislation that will provide for a comprehensive and systematic approach to the many issues surrounding asbestos in Bermuda.

A detailed Waste Management Plan will address strategically Bermuda's waste issues and preliminary work will take place to procure a replacement for the recycling plant. A concerted public campaign will be launched to encourage recycling and the reduction of waste.

Steps will be taken to improve the problem of flooding on Perimeter Lane as part of the ongoing Pembroke Marsh Plan.

Following the extensive damage to the Causeway during Hurricane Fabian, the Government will consider options for the replacement of the Causeway and the Longbird Bridge.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly

The Government intends to seek new and innovative ways to address the number of vehicles on Bermuda's roads.

The Motor Car Act 1951 will be amended to create a new category of "Rental Truck".

Instead of having to purchase trucks that may only be needed for special projects, the consumer will be able to rent a vehicle for the duration of a project.

In addition, a new category of truck will be added to the Motor Car Act 1951 known as the "Passenger Truck".

This amendment will prohibit the transporting of business clients in heavy trucks. Businesses will instead have the option of using smaller vehicles such as light and intermediate trucks for carrying passengers.

The moratorium on permits for hire trucks; including lunch wagons, water trucks, sanitation trucks, and boat trailers will be lifted and a limited number of permits for hire trucks will be granted provided the need for this type of vehicle has been proven.

The introduction of a Taxi Shared Ride Initiative from the Bermuda International Airport will shorten times for tourists waiting for transportation, provide additional income for taxi drivers, and move traffic out of the airport at an increased rate.

The Government will also examine the feasibility of a Limousine Service, and increase the overall dimensions of motor taxis to compensate for the dwindling number of smaller vehicles that are available on the market today.

Two new ferries will be introduced in 2004, allowing the Government to consider the expansion of ferry service to other parts of the Island.

The Government fleet will also be strengthened with the addition of a motor tug vessel, the Larry G. Dahl.

Aside from its traditional use as a tugboat, this vessel will also be used as an operational and emergency measures training vessel, and provide vital search and rescue assistance in Bermuda's coastal waters.

Further technological improvements will be made at the Bermuda International Airport.

The Airport Information Landing System will be replaced, and a Doppler Weather Radar System will be installed.

The Doppler Weather Radar System will provide the marine community and weather forecasters with the latest technology and early information regarding weather systems. This will benefit fishermen, aircraft and the community at large.

Both projects will be managed by on-Island firms in order to provide further training and experience to Bermudian technicians.

In addition to the aforementioned legislative and policy initiatives, you will be asked to consider a number of Bills, Discussion Papers and Regulations during this Parliamentary Session.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly

A society that works together for the benefit of everyone becomes a cohesive, compassionate, and thriving community.

Thus, the journey to the 'New Bermuda' continues.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly

It is now my distinct pleasure, on behalf of her Majesty the Queen to declare this Session of Parliament. . . open.

May divine providence continue to bless Bermuda and guide this Legislature in all its deliberations.

Sir John Michael Medlicott Vereker, KCB

Governor and Commander-in-Chief

Hamilton

Bermuda

31st October 2003