Free child care for children under four, better health coverage for seniors and interest-free loans to buy homes were the key elements of yesterday's Throne Speech as Government seeks to carry out election promises.

And there were new pledges to introduce a press council and modernise the Corporation of Hamilton and St. George's.

But missing from Governor Sir Richard Gozney's speech, which was interrupted for several minutes by a walkthrough of disgruntled BPSU members, were manifesto promises on free public transport and free Bermuda College education.

Asked afterwards about his top priority, Premier Dr. Ewart Brown echoed a slogan from Britain's Labour Party when he retorted: "Education, education, education." He added: "It is our area of greatest concern."

However he pointed out Government had a lot of priorities which had been addressed in the Throne Speech. "Since we have a Minister for each priority all of those burners can be on full steam."

Government will institute "real accountability for principals, teachers, and students".

Rigorous academic performance standards for students will be enforced and schools will be tested against annual performance standards to measure academic growth of students.

Curriculum at all levels will be reviewed while amendments to the Education Act 1996 promise to give the Board of Education more 'teeth' to improve things.

Government will also substantially raise the amount and number of Bermuda Government Scholarships to cover a more significant part of the cost of post-secondary education.

Tackling housing from homelessness to those wanting to buy their own place is central to Government's legislative plans this year. A long-promised pledge to replace the North Street homeless shelter – last mentioned in the 2005 Throne Speech – returns.

Families who have long been housed in emergency facilities will be moved to three purpose-built facilities Southside, St. David's.

To promote home ownership, interest-free down payment loans will be given to 500 qualified Bermudian families.

And laws will be drafted to support the expanding geared-to-income rents initiative which allows Government tenants to have their rent set at no more than 25 per cent of their income with an additional ten per cent saved towards future home ownership.

Government will encourage landlords to bring affordable housing units back onto the market with tax incentives.

Seeking to reduce the financial burdon on parents and allow them more time to work, Government will offer free child care services for children up to the age of four years, subject to unspecified criteria.

Sir Richard said: "It is envisaged that the introduction of this programme will contribute towards stable family life and the proper raising of children in supportive environments."

The Mirrors programme which helps wayward youth will be expanded while the Bermuda Race Relations Initiative's 'Big Conversation' will continue and include a half hour monthly series on CITV and a website.

Construction on the Urgent Care Centres in the East and West Ends of the Island will begin soon while it is hoped that FutureCare, which promises to give health cover for all seniors, could be running within the year.

The Government Employees Health Insurance Scheme will be reviewed to ensure appropriate health insurance coverage for retired public officers while the Contributory Pensions Act will be changed to remove features that have precluded seniors from getting pensions because they applied too late.

Government has promised to modernise the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George's because their set-up is outdated and did not necessarily 'reflect modern good governance'.

And Government wants to bring in a self-regulatory Press Council to enforce compliance with a Code of Practice with consultations likely to start in the summer.

And there are a raft of pledges to crack down on money laundering following a critical report about the island this week from the International Monetary Fund.

Government is also developing regulations to encourage global satellite companies to use Bermuda for administration of satellite network filings.

Efforts on the environment included a crackdown on water polluters, a bottle deposit system to encourage recycling and to help keep Bermuda beautiful. Help is on the way for farmers and fishermen while a Green Paper on energy will be produced to initiate an public discussion on a national energy policy.

However there was no mention of the Workforce Equity Act despite a draft bill circulated in October which threatened fines for companies who didn't change hiring practices to allow black Bermudians to be employed at all levels in proportion to their representation in the national workforce.

Last November's Throne Speech promised Human Rights Legislation reform to bring it in line with international standards but this time around it was not mentioned.

Opposition Leader Kim Swan welcomed post-Throne Speech comments by the Premier in which he spoke of the need for working partnerships and "raising the level" of debate in Parliament.

"The Premier by the statement sets the tone for (the) constructive leadership that the United Bermuda Party believes is essential if this country is going to move forward together.

"It is vital for us to 'lead by example', as the Premier now says, and in our Reply to the Throne Speech next week we will outline some fundamental ways in which we can get there together."

Mr. Swan said the UBP would will be vigorous and tenacious in debate while fostering a spirit of respect, tolerance and togetherness in the community.