Throne speech highlights rationalization of expenditure and long-term debt sustainability among government's key strategies for 2010/2011
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Contact: Julita Peter
Monday, April 19, 2010 – The much anticipated 2010/2011 national budget debate opened on Monday with the customary closed session involving members of the Senate, and House of Assembly, followed by the parade, and throne speech by Her Excellency, Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy.
The throne speech focused on a number of areas among them, crime, health, education, natural disasters, and the local and global economic phenomena.
The Governor General began by underscoring the importance of the throne speech, saying, that although it has become a traditional component of the budget, the seriousness of its purpose can never be diminished.
According to the Governor General, governments, having received a mandate by the people, are required to report on the progress achieved in discharging this mandate, and the address from the throne is intended to speak to policies and programmes to be pursued in furtherance of the mandate.
The Governor General says the 5th Session of the 9th Parliament finds Saint Lucia at a crossroad, and as such, the actions and decisions taken, will, to a large extent, determine the country’s destiny.
“It is all about choices. And the choices that we make will define our future, since we may have to live with them for ever. We can choose to harness our limited productive resources in a manner that seeks to take account of the interest of all, particularly the most vulnerable among us, or we adopt the selfish posture, of ‘to each his own’ ”.
The government of Saint Lucia, according to the Governor General, recognizes the need to initiate an action plan to achieve recovery in the medium term, while keeping in focus the need for long-term development.
“This provides the background to the economic strategy being pursued, for short and medium-term strategies must simultaneously set the stage for ensuring the well-being for future generations,” the Governor General said.
“In that regard, government’s economics strategy will be based on identifying and injecting resources into emerging and existing sectors with growth potential, ensuring a micro and sound economic framework, including the strengthening of revenue collection, rationalization of expenditure, stimulating investment, and long-term debt sustainability.”
Meantime, Senator Leonne Theodore-John was, on Monday, sworn in as the new president of the Senate. Senator John replaces Miss Gail Phillip. |
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