Good morning, Your Excellency, Cabinet and parliamentary colleagues, members of the media, ladies, and gentlemen.
Just over a week from now we will start a new legislative year. The Government will set out the agenda for the new parliamentary session and it will reflect the priorities that Bermudians have shared with us as this Government continues to listen to desires of Bermudians. Addressing the cost of living, providing access to affordable housing, combatting community violence, and safeguarding the environment are some of the key areas on which the people of Bermuda have demanded that we focus.
As I have consistently stated, the Government is committed to leading the economic recovery required to help us emerge from the effects of the pandemic and the challenge of increased global inflation, while reducing the burden of taxation on the working class.
To accomplish these goals requires strong leadership to deliver on the promises made to the people we serve and whose mandate is one for change and fairness in this community.
Earlier today I asked Her Excellency the Governor to alter the responsibilities of Ministers of the Cabinet. As a result of those changes, MP Lawrence Scott and Senator Dr. Ernest Peets will continue serving the Government from outside of the Cabinet.
Over the past two years both Ministers who will no longer sit in Cabinet have set about their work in a dignified fashion. Last year MP Scott made homeporting in Bermuda a reality providing a much needed boost when regular cruise calls had not restarted – his efforts will also see Bermuda have a record number of cruise calls next year. Senator Peets has delivered Parish Council Modernisation, Bermuda’s National Sports Policy, National Cultural Heritage Policy and National Youth Policy.
I wish to thank them both for their service in Cabinet and for the way in which they set about discharging the duties of the offices they held and also for their personal support of me during last week’s leadership contest.
I am also pleased to welcome Senator Owen Darrell to the Cabinet where he will serve as Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport and also assume the role of Government leader in the Senate.
Senator Darrell holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science and Secondary Education from the University of Tampa and taught in Bermuda’s public school system for 15 years.
Minister Darrell has worked hard as Chief of Staff to the Premier for the last five years, and though some will consider this change to a somewhat lesser role, Minister Darrell has signaled to me that he’s up for a new challenge. With a strong educational background and with extensive work with the youth of Bermuda during his time advising Bermuda’s Youth Parliament, he is ideally suited to this Ministry. I have no doubt that he will bring his talents to bear in the mission to preserve & celebrate Bermuda’s culture, promote awareness of our history and cultivate local sporting talent to greater arenas of success.
The changes made today also reduce the size of the Cabinet from 13 to 12 as I have asked Minister Wayne Furbert to assume responsibility for Transport and Minister of Tourism Vance Campbell to add to his duties the responsibility for those departments previously under the Ministry for the Cabinet Office.
In the last few days, I have met with Cabinet Ministers and MPs from my party to discuss the hard work that lies ahead. Their commitment and energy was evident and I can only thank them for their desire to serve in these difficult times. This Government will work together to fulfill the pledges set out in our Platform and continue to meet the challenges presented by the unprecedented global events of the last two and a half years.
Thank you.