Government's policy on awarding contracts has not changed since the PLP's 1998 platform statement was drawn up, Premier Jennifer Smith said yesterday in an impassioned statement to the House.

"Yet, when one of my Ministers put that policy in her own dramatic and flamboyant fashion, suddenly there is a furore of requests for clarification from the Opposition, the Bermuda Employers Council and others," she said.

The Premier was responding to the widespread outrage that followed Minister of Tourism, Telecommunications and E-Commerce Renee Webb's comments last week that contracts will go to people who look like her.

Critics suggested Ms Webb's comments were racist and called upon the Premier to clearly state the Government's policy on awarding contracts.

Striking back at critics, the Premier yesterday accused the Opposition of being "mischievous" and having "an impressive propensity for talking out of both sides of their mouth at the same time".

The Premier reiterated the philosophy underpinning Government policies, as stated in the 1998 platform, which stresses: equal opportunity for all; better jobs for Bermudians; empowerment; protection of the vulnerable; and preservation of the family as well as macro-economic stability and accountability and transparency.

"Mr. Speaker, I know that you are well aware that many contractors and suppliers have benefited from this Government's policy of providing a level playing field of opportunity for those who have never before received Government contracts," she said.

Alternatively, the Premier added: "(F)or generations successive UBP Government(s) systematically excluded the vast majority of Bermudians from participation in mainstream economic activity in Bermuda. This is a fact. It is not something to get excited about, but it must be acknowledged."

Bermuda today, under PLP rule, is "an infinitely more just and equitable society", she said.

The Premier quoted Dr. Grant Gibbons from an article in The Royal Gazette earlier this week, where the Opposition Leader admitted economic parity between blacks and whites in Bermuda does not exist and said Government must take action to address the imbalance.

"It sounded like a statement of atonement for the imbalance created by what the minority has unrelentingly inflicted on the majority over the years," Premier Smith said. "However, after making the statement, the Opposition Leader then departed from this lofty concept to attack (Ms Webb) who revealed that this Government had done just as he said 'Government must'."

The Premier said Dr. Gibbon's comments so closely mirrored Ms Webb's "that one might have expected him to have praised the Minister, rather than attempt to bury her".

She added: "Unfortunately we have become all too accustomed to such contradictions from the Opposition."

The Premier then reiterated Government's policy for awarding contracts.

"First, Financial Regulations and Civil Service policy mandates that all procurement costing over fifty thousand dollars is awarded by tender," she said.

"One of three processes are followed for the award of contracts: open tender; selective tender; and sole selective tender.

"The criteria for requests for proposal (RFP) and the award of tenders are determined by objective criteria administered by the Civil Service and technical advisers."

In order to reverse the practices that existed prior to 1998, she said, Government has worked to remove barriers for those who previously did not receive contracts.

And, she reminded the House of a number of cost over-runs which occurred under the "now self-righteous and forgetful members" of UBP Government such as the National Stadium ("twenty years on and over $25 million spent"), the Airport Redevelopment project, the $2 million Westgate prison "gift" to Sea Land Construction and the incinerator.

Meanwhile, the Premier said the PLP Government "has imposed a level of accountability within Government that is meticulous to the point of being fastidious".

She continued: "Our policy has been to broaden opportunities and participation and to ensure that those who had previously been excluded are included and within that context, contracts are awarded on capability and viable economies.

"In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, this Government...is about removing all impediments to participation in mainstream economic activity in the public sector by all who are able, qualified and willing."

Ignoring the derision from the Opposition to her comment, the Premier closed:

"I trust, Mr. Speaker, that those who take my Minister to task for her personal cry from the heart on the still continuing struggle for a level playing field and common ground now have a better understanding of the inclusive policies of this Government."