By Robert Hart, Staff Reporter
Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke delivering the Throne Speech to a packed Gordon House yesterday at the State Opening of Parliament. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer
THE GOVERNMENT has outlined a host of initiatives it will undertake in the 2004/05 legislative year as it tackles a battered national economy, the scourge of crime, an inadequate education/training sector and greater unity with Jamaicans abroad.
Delivering the Throne Speech, setting out Government's programmes and policies to mark the opening of the new session of Parliament, Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke called on both sides of the political divide to work together to resolve national issues.
The Governor-General was speaking before a joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives at Gordon House, marking yesterday's ceremonial opening of Parliament.
NO DIVIDING LINES
A capacity gathering of senior civil servants and other visitors packing the gallery heard Sir Howard urged the parliamentarians to avoid focusing on the 'dividing lines' during deliberations on policies and legislation.
Bills to strengthen certain laws and regulations relating to public order and crime management are proposed in response to the rampant criminality and hundreds of murders that gripped the nation in fear in 2003. The Government has been accused of being out of its depth in its attempts to put a halt to the violence.
Sir Howard referred to the expected implementation of new measures to reduce violent crimes involving taxicabs, the controversial Terrorism Prevention Bill and legislation relating to the forfeiture of the proceeds of crime.
"We fully realise that in the matters of public order, the citizens themselves must assume some responsibility for co-operation and compliance in those areas which relate to us all," he noted.
BEGINNING OF A NEW LEVEL
On the economy, the Governor-General said the 2004/05 fiscal year would mark the beginning of a new level of partnership as the Government builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Joint Confederation of Trade Unions.
"The Government will be moving quickly to finalise its consideration of the proposals from other social partners," he said in apparent reference to a much-vaunted, long-awaited agreement with the private sector.
He said that the result of this 'broad-based approach' would aim at the successful reduction of the fiscal deficit.
"We are committed to fiscal consolidation, optimising value for money spent and maximising revenue with the objective of facilitating investment and supporting sustainable growth and development," Sir Howard said.
This year, capital expenditure will be directed towards the highest growth-enhancing activities in eight sectors headed by tourism, information and communication technology, agriculture, minerals and chemicals.
Last year, the Government began its drive to place heavy focus on the tourism industry, agriculture and science and technology in its attempts to spur economic growth and drive down unemployment. The Government has subsequently cited improvements in the tourism and bauxite industries, and stated that the nation is poised for an economic boom.
At the same time, tax reform and business and investment facilitation are slated to make up the major platform from which private sector led growth will be expanded.
Sir Howard said the implementation of new measures, including a sustainable incentive regime, will ensure that Jamaica has a competitive and equitable tax structure. This structure is expected to stimulate savings and investment, create jobs and spur consumer confidence, while generating adequate revenue inflows to finance critical public services.
