Caribbean Net News: St Lucia's House of Assembly meets for first time since December election

CASTRIES, St Lucia: The House of Assembly in St Lucia met for the first time on Tuesday since the election of the new Government. Present were members of the Upper and Lower Houses, members of the judiciary, the clergy, members of the diplomatic corps, invited guests and members of the public.

Former member of the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP), former Leader of the Organization for National Empowerment (ONE), and now member of the United Workers Party (UWP), Sarah Flood-Beaubrun was elected and appointed as the Speaker of the House.

In accordance with the Constitution, Sir John Compton called upon Leader of the Opposition, Dr Kenny Anthony, to nominate a Deputy Speaker but that was not forthcoming. In the interest of the business of the country, Marcus Nicholas, Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for marketing, resigned his position and was then elected and appointed as Deputy Speaker of the House.

Other persons elected and appointed included:
Dr Rose Marie Husbands-Mathurin - President of the Senate.
Evaristus Jn Marie, Chairman of Radio Saint Lucia - Independent Senator.

The six Government Senators include:
Dr Nicholas Frederick - Leader of Government Business.
Tessa Mangal.
Gaspard Charlemagne.
Allen Chastanet.
Guy Mayers.

The three Opposition Senators include -
Damien Greaves - Leader.
Silas Wilson.
Dr Tennyson Joseph

Amidst all the fanfare, the Governor General, Dame Pearlette Louisy, inspected the Guard of Honour before proceeding to the House of Assembly to deliver the Throne Speech. Before delivering the Throne Speech, the Governor General congratulated the newly-appointed Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate.

She also thanked St Lucians for their behaviour during the period of the election campaign. The Governor General also called on members of the House to behave in an orderly manner at all times, remember the election promises they made, do not disappoint and remember they promise to put country before self and party.

The Throne Speech was focused on many issues, but security was at the top. The Governor General emphasized that indiscipline in schools, on the streets and places of entertainment will be met with every available resources.

Education will be given urgent attention in which a comprehensive statement will be issued when the government meets to present the budget for the financial year and the Universal Health Care will be given special attention.

A team of experts will meet to review Statutory Boards and Corporations and, if need be, legislation will be put in place to see that these bodies serve the purpose for which they are established.

The much talked about Labour Code will be brought back to the table for a thorough review, so that all stakeholders -employers and employees - will understand it fully. Finally, a very troubling issue was the election campaigns and the Governor General stated that this issue will be discussed at the CARICOM level.

The Throne Speech was delivered in English and Kweyol and, in concluding, Dame Pearlette Louisy indicated that the only wars that will be fought is the war against ignorance, poverty and diseases.

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