Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall delivers the Throne Speech at Gordon House, in Kingston, yesterday, to mark the official opening of Parliament for the new parliamentary year. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Youths at risk will come in for special attention from the Government this year as part of efforts to reduce crime and stem the tide of indiscipline in the society.

This was one of the key measures announced yesterday by Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall as he delivered the 2008-2009 Throne Speech during the State Opening of Parliament.

Sir Kenneth reported that youths, particularly those between ages 14 and 29, will come in for special focus in the budget.

Repeated studies have shown that persons in that age group are usually the perpetrators or victims of major crimes.

The Government said its policy would be aimed at young males whose academic under performance and social dysfunctionality require urgent attention.

Details of the Government's plan will be announced during the Sectoral Debate, but Sir Kenneth said the revitalisation of youth clubs, uniformed groups, special reorientation and training programmes would get special attention.

A national sports policy is also to be presented this year.

Child protection services

In addition to the measures to save youths at risk, the Government also announced plans to introduce a fresh strategic approach and direction for child protection services and a national gender policy.

The Throne Speech lacked the expected focus on jobs which the Bruce Golding administration promised, but several other key areas of national life were given attention.

These include the worrying increases in international oil prices with the Government vowing to take decisive steps to "diversify our energy sources while beginning a reduction on our reliance on crude oil".

Food security also came in for special mention with the administration announcing plans to ensure that Jamaicans "produce more food to feed ourselves".

According to the Golding administration, it will be embarking upon a technology-driven food production drive supported by improved marketing arrangements.

The transformation of the education sector into one which offers high-quality training with new measures to improve lesson delivery is also on its agenda.

Crime-fighting strategies

Crime is also slated to receive special attention during the fiscal year with crime-fighting strategies to be intensified.

The administration also promised to increase the mobility, surveillance and investigative capacity of the police force, while improving the court system.

The long-promised reform of the justice system is to begin with the recommendations of the Justice Reform Task Force implemented.

It should be a busy year in Parliament if the Government carries through on its legislative agenda.

Parliamentarians are expected to debate a bill to replace the Corruption Prevention Act to include the establishment of a special prosecutor.

The administration has also promised that legislation to establish an independent body to probe allegations of abuse by members of the security forces and legislation to appoint a special coroner will be before Parliament.

A Charter of Rights and a broad package of constitutional reforms are also on the agenda for the new fiscal year.

To loud desk pounding, the governor general announced that the Golding administration is to keep its election promises of free health care come April 1, the establishment of a constituency development fund and a fully staffed office for the leader of the opposition.

How these will be funded should be announced when Finance Minister Audley Shaw opens the Budget Debate on April 10.