“Children first and families first.”

That was the overriding message from the Bermuda Government last night as it hosted a town hall meeting to further detail proposals outlined in the Throne Speech.

Several hundred residents descended on the Berkeley Institute to hear presentations from David Burt and three of his Cabinet colleagues before the floor was opened up for questions.

The Premier outlined plans to reform Financial Assistance and stimulate investment in all aspects of tourism through the Tourism Investment Act, while providing opportunities for entrepreneurship by Bermudians.

His vow to “do things differently” and “attract a young, more cosmopolitan visitor to our shores” was greeted by warm applause from the crowd.

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, also received a rousing reception as he said: “Children should always be in the forefront of our mind.

“There should not be any politics, there should be no egos, it is just about educating our children”.

Mr Rabain detailed plans to install wi-fi in all public schools by the end of the school year and establish a National Workforce Development Plan to equip Bermudians with new skill sets.

“We have exciting things planned for next year,” he said. “It is about the children, first and foremost.”

Walton Brown, the Minister of Home Affairs, then addressed the audience on immigration reform saying the Progressive Labour Party would consult and collaborate, and not make “arbitrary laws”.

His pledge that government would look to introduce a living wage because it was “simply the right thing to do” and further regulate the banking industry also drew applause from the audience.

Attorney-General Kathy Lynn Simmons echoed a similar theme to Mr Rabain: “Families first, children first,” Ms Simmons said as she outlined plans to reform the child support system and legal aid system.

“We are not looking to penalise those who can not pay; we will work with them,” she said.

“We are not going to enforce their imprisonment, because that just breeds more resentment. Our aim is to heal our families and not further destroy them.”