2021/22 Session Of Parliament Gets Under Way With Delivery Of Throne Speech
By: , February 18, 2021
Photo: Michael Sloley, Yhomo Hutchinson and Adrian Walker
Members of the Houses of Parliament at the Ceremonial Opening of Parliament on February 18. (Michael Sloley Photo)
Photo: Michael Sloley, Yhomo Hutchinson and Adrian Walker
Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (right), delivers the 2021/22 Throne Speech under the theme ‘Building Forward…Stronger Together’, at the Ceremonial Opening of Parliament on February 18. (Michael Sloley Photo)
Photo: Michael Sloley, Yhomo Hutchinson and Adrian Walker
Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, stands at attention for the playing of the National Anthem, at the 2021/22 Ceremonial Opening of Parliament, today (February 18). (Adrian Walker Photo)
Photo: Michael Sloley, Yhomo Hutchinson and Adrian Walker
Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right) along with his wife, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, lead government members into Gordon House, at the Ceremonial Opening of Parliament on February 18. (Yhomo Hutchinson Photo)
Photo: Michael Sloley, Yhomo Hutchinson and Adrian Walker
Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, inspects the Guard of Honour mounted by members of the Jamaica Defence Force, at the 2021/22 Ceremonial Opening of Parliament, today (February 18). (Adrian Walker Photo)
Photo: Michael Sloley, Yhomo Hutchinson and Adrian Walker
Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding (left), leads Members of the Opposition into Gordon House for the 2021/22 Ceremonial Opening of Parliament, today (February 18). (Adrian Walker Photo)
Photo: Michael Sloley, Yhomo Hutchinson and Adrian Walker
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right) along with his wife, the Most Hon. Juliet Holness, lead government members into Gordon House, at the Ceremonial Opening of Parliament on February 18. (Adrian Walker Photo) 
Photo: Michael Sloley, Yhomo Hutchinson and Adrian Walker
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon Kamina Johnson Smith (second left), with other government senators (from left) Senator Don Wehby; Senator Natalie Campbell Rodriques; Senator Charles Sinclair; Senator Dr. Saphire Longmore; Senator Kavan Gayle; Senator Sherene Golding Campbell; and State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Leslie Campbell. They were at the Ceremonial Opening of Parliament on February 18. (Yhomo Hutchinson Photo)The Full Story
The 2021/22 session of Parliament got under way this morning (February 18), at Gordon House, highlighted by the delivery of the Throne Speech by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, under the theme ‘Building forward…Stronger Together’.
His address outlined the priority programmes and policies to be pursued by the Government in the new fiscal year, which begins on April 1.
This year’s proceedings were held in strict adherence to the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines. As such, physical access to the ceremony by members of the public was restricted and persons were advised to follow the proceedings on television and on the JIS website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.
In addition, the number of Parliamentarians attending the ceremony was reduced from 84 to 59. The traditional ‘march to Gordon House’ was also COVID-19 compliant, with members of parliament approaching Gordon House in single file.
On his arrival, the Governor-General inspected the Guard of Honour mounted by members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), after which he entered the chambers of the House accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Rocky Meade.
Members of the Senate were the first to take their seats inside Gordon House, followed by the President of the Senate, Tom Tavares-Finson.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert, then entered the chambers, followed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness; Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding; and Members of Parliament.
For the 2021/22 fiscal year, the Government will seek to further create a supportive environment for business and investment, through the tabling of several pieces of legislation.
These include amendments to the Urban Renewal (Tax Relief) Act, Financial Administration and Audit Act, Financial Services Commission Act, and the Income Tax Relief (Large-scale Projects and Pioneer Industries) Act.
Focus will also be placed on the Jamaica Teaching Council Bill, amendments to the Education Act, the Children (Adoption of) (Amendment) Bill, the Child Care and Protection (Amendment) Bill and the Access to Information Act and Regulations.
National security is being prioritised as the Government continues to press ahead with efforts towards improving public order and security.
Investment will be made in enhancing mobility and technology, including expansion of the national CCTV surveillance programme, to strengthen intelligence and forensic capabilities to aid in swift investigation and provision of reliable and legitimate evidence.
Improvement of the nation’s roadways, to facilitate ease of movement of people and goods, will continue with the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP).
Work is progressing on the two phases of the project, that is, the Harbour View to Port Antonio leg and the tolled section between May Pen and Williamsfield.
Later in the afternoon, the Lower House had its first official sitting for the new fiscal year, where the proposed Budget for 2021/2022 was tabled by the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke.