Full-time ministers, possible freedom of information legislation, an Ombudsman and a crackdown on crime were unveiled in the Throne Speech yesterday as the Progressive Labour Party appeared to move more towards the centre ground.

Premier Alex Scott?s first Throne Speech picked up on a number of themes raised by the Opposition at the last election as he sought to win the trust of the electorate and promised open government.

In a boost for small business, Mr. Scott also promised Government would partner with the banks to help entrepreneurs get greater access to loans and capital, although there were few details.

Government would embark on a ?collaborative? approach to tackling the housing crisis, although there was no indication of how it would work.

And a blitz on bad driving ? including higher fines for speeding and tougher penalties for people who give false information to Police ? will accompany higher penalties for assaults with weapons.

Sports grounds will become increased penalty zones and hooligans caught fighting or with drugs face being banned from all sports facilities on the Island as Government attempts to curb violence at football matches.

After Governor Sir John Vereker read the Throne Speech, Mr. Scott said full-time cabinet ministers would be introduced on a ?step-by-step? basis and Government would continue to reduce the size of the Cabinet.

But he was unable to say when the first full-time ministers will be introduced, how much they will be paid, or whether ministries will be merged.

Opposition leader Grant Gibbons dismissed the Throne Speech as ?paved with good intentions? but with very little of substance on the key issues of housing, tourism and seniors.

And he accused the PLP of stealing some of the UBP?s ideas from the last election, such as a freedom of information act and more community policing.

With the PLP?s ?wretched? record on openness and transparency, Bermudians would need words not actions to be convinced they were serious, said Dr. Gibbons. There will be a restructuring of Bermuda?s tourism offices, including possible closures of overseas offices as money is concentrated on gateway cities on the US east coast, and school students will be taught the importance of the industry to the economy. On the transport front, a shared taxi scheme from the Airport will be piloted, the feasibility of a limousine service will be looked at, and the size of cabs may be increased.

But there was no mention of Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown?s contentious plan to force taxi drivers to install global positioning system (GPS) dispatch technology. Two new ferries will be introduced as well as a tug which can also be used to help in search and rescues. Government will look at protection against child pornography on the Internet and possibly make it a criminal offence to send junk e-mail or spam. Government also promised to licence cats and tackle the feral cat problem and to ban the importation of boat paints which can harm the environment. The Throne Speech echoed UBP election concerns about open Government and re-establishing trust with voters.

?Trust is the hallmark of any good relationship, but trust must be earned, and once earned, should not be taken for granted,? Sir John read. ?Fairness, openness, and accountability will represent the bedrock of this Government so that all Bermuda?s people and institutions are subject to the same standards of fairness and propriety.?

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

?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.?

On white collar crime, there are unspecified commitments to update financial services legislation and money laundering laws will be made more rigorous.

Fear of crime was a big issue on the doorsteps at the last election and Government has held talks with Police to ensure they are on top of the problem.

?Government has initiated a high-level discussion with the 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.?

Dr. Gibbons said yesterday: ?I am pleased they have taken our suggestion for a freedom of information act, but I would like to see whether they will implement it or not. ?This is the second time the PLP government has set off down the road to a new Bermuda. It is clear that the Throne Speech is paved with good intentions but it?s a long laundry list ? everything from an Ombudsman to a cat?s licensing bill. But in areas where the community is really looking for some detail and substance such as housing, seniors, tourism, it is very, very light.?