10/16/2009 11:19:00 AM 'I'm on a mission' Dr. Brown says he has much to accomplish in the next year before he steps down as Premier
Dr. Ewart Brown: “I’ve set goals that I think are achievable. We need to make a decision on gaming, get through PATI (Public Access to Infor-mation) legislation and legis-latively do what is necessary in education.”
Left to accomplish
Dr Brown said his plans for reform include the following:
Premier Dr. Ewart Brown is on a mission to push through "the most change the country can manage" in his last 12 months in office.
He revealed he will stick to his self-imposed departure date of October 2010, when he will quit politics altogether.
But he says he still has major goals to achieve and is putting the finishing touches to an ambitious Throne Speech that will
include plans for reform on gaming, education, freedom of information legislation. The Premier - who goes into next week's PLP conference without the threat of the leadership challenges that have loomed in previous years - believes the party has put internal divisions behind it. He claims his Government has reached a "functional unity", with the majority of his opponents reconciled to working with him in his last year.
Dr. Brown said: "This is it for me. I promised a term and I am going to complete a term and walk away with my head up and a smile on my face.
"I have my agenda (for the next year) and I am going to try to execute it.
"I have almost completed my logical and reasonable schedule for the next 12 months.
"I've set goals that I think are achievable. We need to make a decision on gaming, get through PATI (Public Access to Infor-mation) legislation and legis-latively do what is necessary in education."
Dr. Brown said further details about these broad themes would be revealed in his speech at the opening of parliament next month.
He added: "This Throne Speech is my last and it will be one that represents the most change I think the country can handle."
The Premier will brief the party faithful on the policy plans at the conference next week.
But he will not be involved in the planned debates about a PLP policy shift on conscription to the regiment or reform of cannabis law.
Dr. Brown characterised these discussions, initiated by party chairman David Burt, as long-term policy reviews for the wider party.
He added: "I don't think we can take those on this year."
The Premier highlighted gaming as a key issue for the next 12 months.
He said: "Potentially it represents a new revenue stream for a Government that has lost more than $30 million in tax revenue. The subject has lingered for too long and Bermuda needs to take an adult decision on it."
Dr. Brown has been a vocal supporter of relaxing Bermuda's gambling laws.
Earlier this year he commissioned a $300,000 study into the impact gaming would have.
The results of the Innovation Group investigation are being reviewed by the cabinet.
Churches are opposed to change but with tourism numbers on the slide and inter-national business under threat from U.S. legislators, Dr. Brown sees gaming as a potential third pillar of the island's economy and wants to get the issue resolved before he leaves office.
Control
Meanwhile, Dr. Brown revealed on TV last night how some of Bermuda's new hotel projects had run into trouble with financing.
The Premier, who is also Minister of Tourism, said the global economic downturn had impacted hotel construction projects across the island.
In a broad ranging speech on VSB and ZBM, Dr. Brown updated viewers on the economy, potential changes to the stop-list and repeated his belief that Government needs more operational control over the police force.
He also unveiled plans to partner with the U.S. Coast Guard to improve Bermuda "maritime law enforcement".
Of the hotels, he said: "I have been very proud to stand before you in the past and announce several different plans for hotel development and redevelopment.
"I continue to believe that all of these projects will come to fruition and that we will still fully realize a platinum period in tourism. But I am realistic and you should be, too.
"We will experience delays because our hotel developers have run into capital raising problems caused by the downturn.
"Even with these obstacles, I am hoping we will have financing in place and be prepared to break ground on our long-awaited Park Hyatt project in St. George's in the next few months."
The Premier could not specify which projects had difficulties.
Of the coastguard project, he said: "We want Bermuda to be a beneficiary of one of the U.S. Coast Guard programmes, where, as a partner country, we would be provided with high-speed interceptor boats, special communication equipment and, importantly, training of Bermudian public safety officers in drug interdiction and maritime law enforcement."
Posted: Saturday, October 17, 2009
Comment by:
Zappnin
I certainly believe that Dr Brown is 'on a mission' as he said, and that he will leave 'with a smile on his face'. However, this will only be after he has inflicted as much damage on Bermuda as possible. Be warned Bermuda.
