Ceremonial Opening of Parliament Takes Place on Thursday

The ceremonial opening of Parliament takes place on Thursday (April 14) at Gordon House in Kingston, with the traditional pomp and pageantry.

The event, which marks the beginning of the 2016/17 legislative year, will get underway at 11:00 a.m.

It will feature a parade by a guard-of-honour formed by members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Mounted Police.

The opening will be highlighted by the delivery of the Throne Speech by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen.

He will outline the Government’s priorities for the new fiscal year, which began on April 1.

Specially invited guests include Permanent Secretaries from the various Ministries, members of the Diplomatic Corps and the Judiciary, Mayors and Custodes.

The House of Representatives will reconvene at 2:00 p.m. for the tabling of the 2016/2017 Estimates of Expenditure by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw.

The Estimates will provide details on Government spending for the fiscal year, including allocations for Recurrent (housekeeping) and Capital (development) expenses.

The Estimates of Expenditure will be reviewed by the Auditor General from April 14-28, and the Standing Finance Committee of the House will then meet from May 3-5 to consider the Budget.

The Finance Minister is scheduled to open the 2016/17 Budget Debate on May 12, when he will inform the nation how the Budget for the fiscal year will be funded.

On May 17, Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Dr. Peter Phillips, will make his contribution.

The debate will continue on May 19, with the Leader of the Opposition, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, making her contribution.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, will make his presentation on May 24 and the debate is scheduled to be closed by the Finance Minister on May 25.