Governor Outlines Government’s 2009 Legislative Programme
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| Governor David Pearey inspects a guard of honour (Royal Virgin Islands Police Force) outside the House of Assembly moments before delivery the Speech from the Throne |
Roadtown, Tortola - His Excellency the Governor Mr. David Pearey today outlined the Government’s 2009 legislative programme when he presented the Speech from the Throne on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen before a packed audience during the first sitting of the second session of the first House of Assembly.
In a 25-minute speech, the Governor said the legislative programme is “intended to improve the quality of life for all Virgin Islanders of this Territory.”
The Governor announced that the Government will introduce cruise tourism legislation and a new bill on securities and investment business to create a new securities regime intended to strengthen the twin-pillar economy.
The Territory’s criminal justice system will be further strengthened as the Governor also disclosed that the Government will enact a Justice Protection Act as part of arrangements with the Overseas Territories and the United Kingdom to increase the willingness of witnesses to testify in criminal cases.
The Governor also revealed that the Police Act, 1986 is currently under review and it will be amended to include “strengthening the complaints and discipline process and bringing the forensic and evidence process in line with international best practice.”
The Governor announced that during the second session, the Government will introduce social legislation related to children, domestic
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| His Excellency the Governor delivering the Speech from the Throne in the House of Assembly |
violence and disability.
According to the Governor, the Government also will ratify legislation on pharmacy services to protect the population from counterfeit medicines and malpractice.
On Government’s ongoing environmental efforts, the Governor said energy alternatives are high on the agenda and sustainable energy legislation will be enacted “to ensure that other means such as renewable energy are introduced to enhance a green environment in the Territory. “
Regarding government services, the Governor announced that e-government legislation will be passed “to offer more convenience, more information access and more services” to the public under the umbrella of the public service reform programme.
The Governor also revealed that in 2009, the Government will introduce new legislation and amend some existing legislation including aviation, electricity, and telecommunications, to develop and strengthen critical infrastructure systems to ensure safety, maintenance and access.
This second session will also see legislation to govern human rights, and early childhood education in the Territory, and legislative amendments in the areas of immigration, labour, agriculture, and fisheries. ~~Adz:Left~~
The Governor ended by thanking all the public servants for their contributions to the speech and also paid tribute to four Virgin Islander political pioneers who laid the foundation for the Territory’s constitutional and political advancements.
The Speech from the Throne is the vehicle used by the elected Government to set out its legislative programme for the ensuing year. The last Speech from the Throne was delivered in the House on 10th July, 2003.
British Virgin Islands News