Comment: speech offers promise, but also raises concerns

FRIDAY, FEB. 8: Throne Speeches tend to be light on details, but they still give a general indication of the Government’s priorities. 

However, the devil is in the details — as the saying goes — and it won’t be until the policies touched upon in the speech are developed that it will be possible to fairly take a stance for or against them.

Nonetheless, it is possible to make some immediate observations on the speech.

First off, it seems evident that the focus of this Government is strongly one of business and crime. 

This is hardly surprising though, as the OBA’s election campaign relied heavily on these two aspects. A good chunk, of the Throne Speech dwelled on these issues.

While this may be understandable, it does leave one wondering if the OBA has much substance when it comes to social and environmental issues, although some of these are, admittedly, touched upon in the speech. 

It will also leave the OBA open to criticism of being dominated by business interests rather than the wider community.

There are things in here that I support. I was certainly happy to see that the OBA have committed themselves to amending the Human Rights Act as it concerns ageism and sexual orientation. 

These were noted under the previous Government, though, so, while it’s good that they mention it, I will wait until they are passed in the House before I stop advocating for them. 

I do support the extending of the school day also – I had that in my own election platform after all! 

The commitment to generic drugs for prescriptions, the reform of the Mental Health Act, and a look at setting up special judiciary measures for dealing with mental health, all things I am supportive of.

I was disappointed that there was no commitment to political reform.  There was no mention of fixed-term elections, right of recall, absentee voting or PATI (freedom of information). 

I am concerned about the Public Debt Advisory Board. This will be greatly influenced by the private sector, which, while billed as giving ‘independent advice’ fails to note the potential conflict of interest that could prevail here, especially in terms of the potential privatisation of public services.  Also, the private sector is about making profit.  The public sector is about serving the people. The public sector cannot be run in business terms, so I’m concerned about that.

I also have concerns at what appears to be workfare and possible threats to the EEZs. Again though, it’s not really clear what is intended here.

The transportation policies seem unclear, too.  And I have concerns about the accountability of the Economic Development Committee. I would like more detail about the proposed planning changes, but welcome the sentiment, and the commitment to reducing the islands carbon footprint.

Disappointed about the lack of decriminalisation support.  But encouraged by the green paper on special education.

• Jonathan Starling was an Independent candidate in Constituency 20, Pembroke South West, in the December 17 General  Election.