Acting Governor, Cabinet and parliamentary colleagues, families and friends, members of the media, and all who are present; thank you for coming.
Today’s appointments form part of a focused realignment of Cabinet and Junior Minister responsibilities.
Since 2017, this Government has won three successive and strong mandates from the people of Bermuda. That hard won trust is not to be taken lightly and I firmly believe that we were elected to deliver on our promises.
My responsibility as Premier is to ensure that the Government is best positioned to deliver on those promises, our Throne Speech commitments, advance the legislative agenda, and keep the work of Government moving as we near the end of this legislative session.
These decisions are never easy. Serving in Cabinet or as a Junior Minister is demanding work. It places pressure on Ministers, families, teams and colleagues. I want to thank former Senator Crystal Caesar, MP Michael Weeks and MP Wayne Furbert for their service, and I wish them well.
The work of Government continues.
Minister Diallo Rabain will assume responsibility for Education. Education Reform remains one of the most important commitments this Government has made. The work ahead includes advancing the long-promised Education Authority legislation which is the subject of thousands of hours of consultation over many years with a wide array of stakeholders. This Government has promised school boards, greater parental and community involvement, and decentralising authority from the Ministry of Education so that our schools are better supported and more responsive. It is a promise that was in our platform, our throne speech – and it must be delivered.
Ryan Robinson Perinchief will be appointed to the Senate and will serve as Minister of National Security. Public safety requires urgency, discipline and confidence. I expect the Minister to work closely with the Police, Customs, The Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service, The Royal Bermuda Regiment and other agencies to support safer roads, safer communities, thereby rebuilding. public confidence. Additionally, the Government has long promised cannabis reform, and Minister Perinchief’ s experience and background give me confidence that this will be achieved during this legislative session.
Rev. Dr. Emily Gail Dill will serve as Minister for the Cabinet Office. Minister Dill’s experience in Human Resources is uniquely suited to this Ministry, as the Government presses ahead with Public Service Reform. Minister Dill's charge will include advancing electoral reform – which is currently underway. The Minister for the Cabinet Office works closely with me as Premier, and I look forward to sharing some of my knowledge of Government with Minster Dill.
Minister Alexa Lightbourne will assume responsibility for Digital Transformation in addition to her current responsibilities. This is a synergy with the existing technology items under her brief, and in her time in office she has demonstrated the ability to get things done.
Good government requires listening to advice. It also requires decisions. We serve in a system of Cabinet government. Ministers bring advice, questions and concerns to the table, but once Cabinet settles the Government’s position, the Government must move forward.
Fulfilling a Throne Speech commitment is not political expediency. It is delivering on a commitment made by an elected Government to the people of Bermuda. - The public expects us to finish the work we promised. That is what these changes are about.
I congratulate those sworn in today, thank those who have served, and ask all colleagues to remain focused on delivering for the people of Bermuda.
Thank you.
