New Parliamentary Agenda Includes Electronic Crimes Laws, Health Reforms and Worker Protections

Throne Speech Sets Out Sweeping Legislative Agenda for 2026–2031 Parliamentary Term

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has outlined an ambitious legislative agenda for the new parliamentary term, promising reforms ranging from workplace protections and electronic crimes legislation to tighter border security measures and updated health regulations.

The agenda was presented Tuesday during the 2026 Throne Speech delivered by Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams at the ceremonial opening of Parliament.  

“My Government has prepared a legislative agenda,” Sir Rodney told lawmakers as he outlined the administration’s priorities for the 2026–2031 period.  

The speech signaled that the government intends to pursue broad institutional reforms affecting law enforcement, public safety, labour protections, healthcare regulation and border management.

Among the proposed measures are reforms to the Police Service, Fire and Rescue Services, forensic services and legislation dealing with electronic crimes.  

The government also plans to introduce laws aimed at protecting vulnerable workers following complaints of workplace harassment.

“Given the reporting by several workers of harassment by superiors, laws that protect the vulnerable and ensure fairness in establishing truth, will be brought before the Parliament,” the Governor-General said.  

The Throne Speech further outlined planned legislative changes affecting healthcare and public safety, including measures tied to food safety, mental health, pharmacy regulation, medical laboratories and nursing homes.  

According to the speech, the proposed laws are intended to improve standards of care and strengthen protections for the public.

“Other laws that impact food safety, mental health, pharmacy regulation, and the operation of medical laboratories and nursing homes, will come before this Parliament in the interest of ensuring better treatment of the sick, and improved safety standards for all,” Sir Rodney said.  

Border security and immigration controls are also expected to feature prominently in the legislative programme. The government said new legislation will be introduced to strengthen advance passenger information systems and ensure Antigua and Barbuda remains compliant with evolving international standards.  

The Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), described in the speech as contributing more than EC$2 billion since its introduction in 2013, is also expected to undergo legislative amendments aimed at protecting the programme’s role in the economy.  

The Throne Speech said the CIP now accounts for more than 10% of the country’s gross domestic product and emphasized that future changes would be undertaken collaboratively to safeguard the programme and similar initiatives within the OECS.  

Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin was credited in the address with advocating what the government described as a “comprehensive slate” of new and amended legislation intended to position Antigua and Barbuda ahead of many of its regional counterparts.  

The legislative programme forms part of the government’s broader agenda following the April 30 general election, which returned the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party to office for a fourth consecutive term. Earlier in the speech, the Governor-General described the country as entering “a new era in development and prosperity.”  

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