Mr. President. Honourable Members of the Senate.

Mr. Speaker. Honourable Members of the House of Assembly.

The third Parliamentary Session of this Government begins a new and challenging chapter of Bermuda's history.

Since we last assembled in this Chamber, a number of events have occurred, which will have an important effect on the future of this country. Chief among these were the decision on Independence and the closure of the various military bases.

Immediately following the referendum, the Hon. Sir John Swan resigned as Premier, bringing to an end a remarkable period of leadership which lasted for longer than 13 years. Sir John's guidance during a period of significant growth and change should be regarded with both admiration and gratitude. The community also owes a debt of gratitude to Sir John's family for the part they have played.

The Government, under the Premiership of Dr. the Hon. David Saul, will focus its energies on improving the quality of life in Bermuda. This initiative was spelled out in detail in the Government's five-year plan, The Blueprint for the Future, which seeks both to improve the process of Government and to make improvements to the life of all Bermudians.

During this Session, the Government will concentrate its energies on the advancement of the peace, the welfare and the prosperity of the people of these Islands, each of fundamental importance to the development of a better Bermuda.

Mr. President. Honourable Members of the Senate.

Mr. Speaker. Honourable Members of the House of Assembly.

The first of these areas is of fundamental importance because the tranquility of our community is currently threatened by crime, by abuse of drugs and alcohol and by a general decline in community standards of discipline. The Government will strengthen its programmes designed to attack these social ills.

The Government has added Public Safety to the responsibilities of the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs to highlight its commitment to deal with crime generally, and especially those crimes characterised by violence and the use of weapons.

During the course of the past year, the Government supported a decision to bring to Bermuda an experienced Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police, notwithstanding its commitment to the process of Bermudianisation. The Government believes that Bermuda will benefit from a fresh approach to policing.

A new Police Service Strategy has been made public, containing several far-reaching recommendations for the modernisation and improvement of Police procedures. These include changes to the structure of the Service, a greater emphasis on crime prevention and getting more manpower on the streets. The Government fully supports the phased implementation of these recommendations and will also review the issue of sentencing and punishment.

Government is determined to make an impact on the abuse of drugs in Bermuda, both with those who are simply users and with those suppliers whose trade preys upon and corrupts the innocent.

During this Session, the Government will introduce amendments to the Drug Trafficking Suppression Act which will provide for the effective confiscation of assets which are the proceeds of drug trafficking.

The Government will continue to back the National Drug Commission's efforts to develop and encourage Island-wide community groups to combat substance abuse.

A number of community groups with a special interest in ridding the Island of drugs have been formed and the Government will support them in this mobilisation.

A Code of Conduct for Bermuda's schools, which will include vitally important sections relating to discipline and substance abuse, will be tabled.

For the above measures to succeed it is essential that they be supported by community action. Bermuda has the advantage of being a small community which has the capability of working as a closely-knit unit. A series of regular public meetings will be scheduled designed to elicit public input and involvement. The Government will take the initiative on these difficult problems and, in partnership with the community, improve the public's sense of security.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly.

The Government will enhance the welfare of the people of these Islands by taking action in a number of areas of major concern: the education of our children, the elimination of discrimination, the improvement of employment practices, the environment, the well being of the elderly and gender bias issues.

The Government is reviewing the details of plans for the new secondary schools, particularly in the light of continuing concern expressed by the community relating to the size of the proposed student population at the Prospect facility.

The Government will continue to embrace the mission of the Education Planning Team, which was to guarantee all students equal opportunity to a first-class education. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring that all students cover a rigorous core curriculum at all levels of their schooling.

Building upon this solid base will be a multicultural curriculum which reflects the diversity of Bermuda's population and is a fundamental aspect of the current restructuring of the education system. The Government, with input from educators and community groups, will develop a Bermudianised curriculum which will meet international standards. To this end, the Government will be focusing upon relevant staff development and training and the encouragement of greater parental involvement in the education of their children.

A new Education Act will be laid before you during the coming Session which will give effect to the restructuring of the education system.

Amendments to the Criminal Code, which will be introduced during this Session, will make it an offence to harass or intimidate people because of their race, colour or place of origin. These amendments are the third and last piece of the legislative framework identified in the Government's White Paper, Towards Eliminating Racism, as being vital in the fight against racism, particularly institutionalised racism.

The Government will work in all areas of the community to remove what has become known as the glass ceiling and will work closely with the private sector in dismantling barriers to equal opportunity in Bermuda. The Commission for Unity and Racial Equality will produce a code of conduct for the workplace with respect to race.

A review of labour legislation, undertaken in consultation with the Labour Advisory Council, will be presented to this House. A Code of sound industrial practice and a code of good employment practice will be discussed by Parliament.

The Government, through the newly-established Ministry of Legislative Affairs and Women's Issues, will establish a task force, with broad community representation, to review and assess the status of women in Bermuda and recommend legislation to give protection for women.

Fundamental to the general welfare of these Islands is the family unit.

Government will work with the churches and other faith communities, individuals and community groups in the development of policies and strategies to strengthen the family. It is in the home where the basics are learned, be it discipline or religious and racial tolerance.

In environmental matters, the Government will remain committed to policies which permit sustainable development in Bermuda, while being mindful of its obligation to protect our precious environmental resources. A review of Planning legislation will be undertaken to ensure efficiency and fairness. The assistance of the private sector with this review will be vitally important.

The Green Paper on Pensions, introduced during the last Session of the House of Assembly, will be debated during this Session.

Mr. President and Members of the Senate.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly.

The Government will be working in a number of areas to advance the prosperity of the people of these Islands.

Tourism and international business are becoming increasingly globalised and competitive. Bermuda's continued success in these fields depends increasingly on an ability to be innovative and to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.

The Commission on Competitiveness highlighted the difficulties Bermuda has in remaining competitive. The Government will explore practical and realistic means of encouraging improvements in the competitive position of the Island's tourism and international business and of the diversification of our economy.

The revitalisation of tourism will be a major focus of Government's efforts in the coming year. In the knowledge that nothing will improve the product Bermuda offers as much as greater community understanding and community commitment, Government will develop a broadly-based tourism appreciation and education programme.

While the international business sector has enjoyed buoyant conditions and is the envy of many other jurisdictions, Government recognises that it, too, operates in a highly competitive global marketplace. The Government will continue to explore prudent methods of enhancing Bermuda's position as an international business centre, including joint marketing ventures with both international and local business leaders.

The Government remains strongly committed to its traditionally prudent economic policies which include maintaining a balanced current account budget, while continuing the strict limits on Government borrowing.

The Government recognises that the after-effects of the recession are still being experienced in the community, especially in the labour market. Limited economic growth during the 1990s, compounded by the closure of military Bases, has resulted in a larger pool of unemployed and underemployed than is normally the case. The Government will establish a Department of Labour Training and Employment to facilitate the retraining of such persons. The National Training Board Act will replace the Apprenticeship and Training Council with a National Training Board, which will be given greater authority and wider scope to set up training and retraining programmes in the community.

The Government has achieved its aim of accomplishing a smooth transfer of airport operations from United States Navy to Bermuda control, creating a significant number of new jobs for Bermudians. The Government's focus has now shifted to redeveloping the Base properties and managing their future use for the benefit of all Bermudians.

The return of military Base lands has created challenges and opportunities not only for the Government, but for the business community and the people of Bermuda generally. The recent publication of the broad use plan for Base Lands will be followed by legislation creating a Land Development Corporation to manage, finance, market and develop these properties for the benefit of all Bermudians. Legislation will also be introduced to place the Base lands within a statutory planning framework so as to ensure the property is fully integrated into the rest of Bermuda.

The return of these lands has the potential to become the driving force for the diversification of the Island's economy and the improvement of the Island's lifestyle in the years to come, contributing greatly to the peace, prosperity and welfare of these Islands into the next century.

Mr. President, Honourable Members of the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of the House of Assembly.

You will be invited to consider a number of Bills and Discussion Papers during the coming year, including: The Bermuda Hospitals Board (Amendment) Bill The Bermuda Monetary Authority (Amendment) Bill The Companies (Amendment) Bill The Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill The Drug Trafficking Suppression (Amendment) Bill The Education Bill The Green Paper on Pensions The Investment Business Licensing Bill The National Sports Centre Trustees (Amendment) Bill The National Training Board Bill The Nurses (Amendment) Bill The Professions Supplementary to Medicine (Amendment) Bill The Psychological Practitioners Bill The Roadside Vendors Bill The Wrecks Bill I have now completed my official duty, but I would not like to finish this speech without thanking all our Parliamentarians for the work they do for Bermuda throughout the year.

It is a great honour to open Parliament today on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and I wish all of you well in your endeavours.