The House of Assembly is set to convene in September, two months ahead of schedule, as Premier David Burt set the tone of what lies ahead for the new Progressive Labour Party government.

Premier David Burt

Speaking after his first Cabinet meeting at a news conference yesterday, Mr Burt said the new administration “has been busy getting work and looking “under the hood” during the past week. Details on what the new administration has found will be announced later this week.

Undoubtedly, that matter has everything to do with the controversial airport redevelopment plan inherited by the government administration from the One Bermuda Alliance, and his pre-election promise to take another look at the multi-million dollar contract once in office.

On that note, the Premier said the issue will be discussed later this week at a news conference with the new Minister of Transport Walter Roban and Attorney General Kathy Simmons.

“In the last five days your government has been busy getting to work and ‘looking under the hood’. In the coming days I will provide an additional update on another matter of national importance to our economy,” the Premier said.

Outlining the PLP’s legislative agenda, Mr Burt said meetings will be held with representatives of the International Company Business sector with a view to grow Bermuda’s economy while putting Bermudians first.

Accompanied by Home Affairs Minister Walton Brown and Lovitta Foggo, the Minister of Government Reform, the Premier met with trade union leaders yesterday to facilitate collaboration and “constructive dialogue” on their utmost concerns.

“We see the unions and International Business representatives as important stakeholders as we work to create jobs in Bermuda,” said Mr Burt. “This government is committed to the prosperity of International Business. We know we can grow our IB sector AND put Bermudians first.

“The two are not mutually exclusive and this government will do both. Together we will work collectively to advance our interests internationally while creating more opportunities for Bermudians locally.”

The Premier will hold more meetings today with the Association of Bermuda International Companies and the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, with the new Minister of Economic Development and Tourism Jamahl Simmons.

Addressing the party’s pledge to make education a top priority, Mr Burt also issued assurances that the new Ministers of Education and Public Works will collaborate to ensure that all schools will be physically ready for the new school year in September, which no doubt includes the ongoing mould issue. He also pledged to increase financial support for would-be Bermuda College students looking to register for classes in September.

Said Mr Burt: “As we look under the hood, there is a lot of spending we can find that we can stop, and places we can redirect priorities where they need to go.”