Premier Ewart Brown yesterday reflected on a "decade of sustained growth" as he gave his thoughts on the Budget in the House of Assembly.

The Premier said the Progressive Labour Party Government had shown a special sensitivity to seniors in each Budget, provided assistance to entrepreneurs and kept in step with international trends.

He said the PLP had also kept its finger on the pulse and reacted in times of crisis, such as after Hurricane Fabian.

Praising Finance Minister Paula Cox, who delivered the party's tenth Budget earlier this month, he said she had achieved the difficult task of being compassionate — as well as sound and innovative — through pledges to help the needy.

"We were fortunate to have had a thing called an election in December, so we have no excuse for not listening to the people," said Dr. Brown.

He responded to Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards' comment that Government had only dedicated $2.6 million to international business, compared to the Cayman Islands, which had dedicated $22 million.

"If we are having this kind of success in international business and we did that with less money than our competitors, that is a great investment," said Dr. Brown.

The Premier also defended Government's repeated handing out of Special Development Orders, saying it was important to develop the tourism industry and not rely on international business for Bermuda's success.

Responding to claims that Government hands out contracts to its friends, he said 16 United Bermuda Party election candidates had disclosed interests in firms with Government contracts, compared with just one PLP member, in the run-up to the election.

On the rebuilding of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, which Mr. Richards pointed out was supposed to be completed by 2013, Dr. Brown said other healthcare priorities had to be dealt with, such as tackling problems revealed by Ombudsman Arlene Brock.

Dr. Brown also said that he hoped the Opposition would not carry on talking about last year's election and all the rhetoric that went with it in the House of Assembly.

However, former Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons, the next politician to speak, pointed out that the Premier himself had done exactly that with snide comments throughout his speech.