Election promises on free transport, free day care and free Bermuda College education could feature in tomorrow's Throne Speech as Premier Ewart Brown sets the tone for his new Government after winning a mandate at the polls last month.

But some Government insiders predict there will be a phased approach to the giveaways in order not to further overheat the economy.

Tomorrow's presentation of what the Government plans to do in the coming 12 months will be followed just two weeks later by the Budget which will detail spending plans.

Coalition for the Protection of Children executive director Sheelagh Cooper said it was time for Government to finally deliver if it was going to be taken seriously about helping the poor.

She said: "They have promised a lot of things in the past they have not delivered. This is really their last chance to deliver on promises.

"We are going into this in good faith and watching very carefully, I don't think people will put up with it a fourth time."

In Premier Brown's first Throne Speech of 2006 a pledge was made to establish a poverty line but Mrs. Cooper said she wasn't aware of any progress made on that.

She suspects Government didn't want to release it because it would be extremely controversial as the true cost of supporting yourself adequately in Bermuda would be so high that many people would have the stigma of being under the poverty line.

Mrs. Cooper said a serious look at Financial Assistance was needed to make sure it was adequate for Bermuda's high cost of living.

Free child care for Bermudian families was promised in the PLP's election manifesto but Mrs. Cooper said it hadn't been specified yet by Government about which families would benefit although she welcomed the concept.

Government's commitment to free public transport would also help poor families as bus passes were about $55 a month and $45 for a child said Mrs. Cooper who added that Government needed to make serious strides to addressing the chronic need for affordable housing.

November's 2007 Throne Speech, which was never implemented because Bermuda went straight into a general election, announced plans to draft legislation to put public rental housing under geared-to-income rents at no more than 25 percent of a family's income with ten percent to be saved for future home ownership.

The PLP followed that up with an election pledge to continue to build geared-for-income housing units.

Mrs. Cooper voiced concern for women and children living in emergency housing in dorm-style units she described as deplorable, where visitors weren't allowed and mothers weren't even allowed babysitters.

"Even the fathers cannot visit. Some have been there for as long as four years. They are almost treated as criminals because they are poor."

FutureCare

Another key election pledge was FutureCare which promised new insurance to make sure seniors health needs were covered when they stopped working. The plan could also see young people having to save more for coverage when they are older.

Age Concern executive director Claudette Fleming believes FutureCare will be mentioned in the Throne Speech although she said the policy is still being worked on.

She hopes the policy will include coverage not just for acute care such as treating fractured limbs but also long-term residential needs.

While Bermuda has the wealth to care for its seniors she said for a long time the will has been lacking although she said it was a complex issue in getting the right formula, involving actuarial studies, consultation and coordination.

"It is something long overdue," she said.

The 2006 Throne Speech promised legislation to tackle elder abuse. Legislation is likely to be put before the legislature when it reconvenes.

And in 2006 there was also a promise of improved dental hygiene for seniors.

Asked about progress Chief Medical Officer John Cann said: "The Senior Dental Officer has arranged for oral health services for seniors at all three of our Health Centres, Hamilton, Somerset and St. George's through our dental officers and the dental hygienist. We are still recruiting additional staff to support this effort."

Government's approach to the Human Rights issue in the coming Throne Speech will be interesting. Last November's Throne Speech promised Human Rights legislation reform to bring it in line with international standards.

It was a move likely to outlaw discrimination against homosexuals but attempts by then Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief to put them in the PLP's election platform were rejected by Premier Ewart Brown and Mr. Perinchief then lost his Cabinet post.

With the IMF breathing down Bermuda's neck a raft of measures to beef up protection against money laundering and terrorist financing was promised in the 2007 Throne Speech which are likely again to be on the agenda now.

Education

With education being an acknowledged area of Government failure, further action could well be pledged in this Throne Speech.

Bermuda Union of Teachers head Mike Charles said: "We would like something done to improve education ¿ we have been promised for some time."

He again lamented teachers were in the dark about the education review set up in the early part of last year as they were not included on the committee.

"We don't know what's happening day to day, we know something is coming down but we don't know what. That's the atmosphere we work in day to day."

The 2006 Throne Speech contained promises about setting up construction industry workshops to equip prison inmates to work upon release and separate accommodation for inmates on work release at the Prison Farm.

Prison Officers Association leader Craig Clarke said work had started on setting up the workshops but had run into problems with finding people to run them.

And he said the separate block for work release inmates had been set up but was also not being used because of a shortage of prison officers to man it.

Last November's Throne Speech also contained several other pledges on law and order including the use of Regiment to ease the burden on Police, alternatives to criminal sanctions and jail for those with mental problems and mandatory drug treatment for addicted inmates while the 2006 Throne Speech promised legislation to prohibit gang activity.

Mr. Clarke said he hoped a long promised forensic unit for mentally ill inmates would get done this year. He said: "It isn't necessary to lock up people with mental illness, they need special attention."

Economy

Bermuda Employers Council president Graham Redford said business was keeping a watchful eye on both the Throne Speech and the Budget.

He said: "We will be looking to Government to produce a budget that shows fiscal responsibility in Government spending and is not punitive towards business in its revenue raising.

"In the run-up to the election, Government has promised to deliver a significant amount of social programming that will require funding and how this funding is raised is of particular concern.

"The tax burden on businesses is already heavy and we would hope that Government does not increase this burden. Business is what creates and sustains employment and ultimately drives the economy. It is important that a buoyant business environment is maintained and not stifled by increased taxation.

"There is much potential for Government to work with the business community in meeting some of its desired social and economic objectives. Such collaborative ventures will be more fruitful in the long run than revenue raising by direct taxation."

Opposition Leader Kim Swan said the focus of government must be redirected to heal and unify the country.

"So we expect the Throne Speech to reflect a spirit and put forward plans that will get us closer to those important goals. Now is the time to move this country forward together as one people.

"The real issues affecting the people have had a long holiday since the election writ was dropped on November 2.

"We hope this government will focus on solutions that will make this island work better for the many people who are struggling ¿ whether in securing a roof over their heads, easing the high cost of living or providing an education that enable them people to take advantage of opportunities."