DURING THIS legislative year, the Government will be enacting several pieces of legislation, including an Anti-Terrorism Act, to curb the country's runaway crime rate.
Other pieces of legislation that will be implemented are the Finger Print (Amendment Act) to allow for fingerprinting and photographing of persons convicted of certain offences and the Public Complaints Authority (Amendment Act) aimed at strengthening the body and enhancing its credibility.
This was outlined by Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke in his Throne Speech at Gordon House at the State opening of Parliament's 2002/2003 session yesterday.
"The unacceptable high level of crime and violence continues to be our most serious challenge," Sir Howard said in his 30-minute address to a joint sitting of members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
He said that in this legislative year, the Government would move to strengthen the link between citizens and law enforcement agencies as its steps up its fight against criminals.
During this year, the Government will also move ahead with plans to bring the HIV/AIDS problem under control; construct its superhighway, Highway 2000; and widen the Family Court system.
Sir Howard said a strong multisectoral approach will be adopted to deal with the deadly HIV/AIDS epidemic sweeping Jamaica and other countries in the Caribbean.
"If the disease is not effectively contained, many other sectors will soon feel its impact in ways which will create permanent damage to the entire society," Sir Howard said.
Touching on Highway 2000, the Governor-General said the long-awaited project will get under way next week. The announcement was greeted by Government members with loud banging on their desks. The Governor-General said the highway - Jamaica's first toll road - will lead to a new phase of major planned commercial developments along the route, which will facilitate the movement of passengers and goods.
The Family Court system will also be expanded to cover all parishes. There are now two Family Courts. One covers Kingston and St. Andrew and the other covers Hanover, St. James and Westmoreland. In other parishes, family matters are dealt with by Resident Magistrate's and Juvenile Courts.
This legislative year the Government will also make changes to the Oath of Allegiance which would require public officials to swear loyalty to Jamaica rather than The Queen.
Highlighting the achievements of the Government, Sir Howard said that during the last year, there was major expansion in the telecommunications sector and growth in the agricultural sector. He said that despite the difficulties in the world economy and a reduction in global travel, the tourism sector managed to stay afloat.
