G-G Delivers Throne Speech To Open 2022/23 Parliamentary Year

The 2022/23 session of Parliament got under way this morning (February 11), 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 Our Jamaica: Peace, Opportunity and Prosperity’.

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 the Internet.

The number of parliamentarians and other dignitaries attending was also reduced.

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, Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman and Police Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson.

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 2022/23 fiscal year, the Government will begin the implementation of a comprehensive restructuring of public-sector compensation.

This will simplify the current complicated 325 salary scales and eliminate most of the 185 allowances so that, in most cases, compensation will consist of a salary payment only, while ensuring that no one is worse off.

The long-awaited gazetting of the Cockpit Country Protected Area boundaries will also be brought to Parliament in this legislative year.

Additionally, the Government will promulgate new legislation to enable the creation and regulation of a National Protected Areas System that is representative of Jamaica’s ecological and cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, as a matter of priority, the Government will be pressing ahead with the development of several new and revised pieces of legislation.

These include the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Bill, which will be tabled today; Review of the Corrections Act; Development of Enhanced Security Measures Bill; Development of Security Personnel Integrity Bill, and the Development of a National Intelligence and Security Bill.

Focus will also be placed on the Jamaica Teaching Council Bill, and the Regulations for the National Identification and Registration Act.

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).

Construction has begun on a four-lane roadway from Harbour View to Yallahs and on 10 of the planned 15 construction packages.

Later in the afternoon, the Lower House had its first official sitting for the new fiscal year, where the proposed Budget for 2022/2023 was tabled by the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke.