I always wondered what a state-of-the-nation speech sounds like for a nation that places the well-being of its citizens first, that keeps itself environmentally and fiscally tidy, and that doesn't chase around the world to slay evil dragons.
Well, this is what it sounds like [emph added].
Madam Speaker, fellow Icelanders,I have to admit that I was sold right at the first use of "Madame Speaker."
Icelanders are a fortunate nation. According to a new survey by the United Nations, Iceland is the second-best country in the world to live in…. This is not simply the opinion of the government but rather the view of respected international economic institutions and corporations. Economic growth has far exceeded that of neighbouring countries. No country has lower unemployment. Household purchasing power has also increased much more in Iceland than in any nearby country, reflecting the tax cuts implemented by the present government, as well as wage increases….
Through a complete transformation of economic policy and effective actions, the situation has been reversed. For many years now the Treasury has reported a sizeable surplus. As a result, the government’s debts have practically been paid off, considering the foreign currency holdings of the Central Bank. Icelandic companies have been revitalised and many of them now have considerable operations abroad….
This government has made economic stability a priority, by continuing to practise restraint in public finances in 2006, for the third year in a row. This has resulted in savings in the public sector…. It will shortly be possible to pay off the Treasury’s foreign debt amounting to tens of billions…. The remainder will subsequently be placed on deposit with the Central Bank, where it will be kept until 2007. This will result in securing for the Treasury considerable interest income, while at the same time restraining economic expansion while the power-intensive industrial projects are at their peak….
Madam Speaker,
Education and knowledge will make the vital difference in the future in stiff competition between nations internationally…. We should view spending on education as an investment in the future and, just like other investors, we want to ensure that our investment gives the best possible return…. A new framework legislation for higher education is intended to ensure that the quality of the education on offer here in Iceland meets international standards and that the education provided and degrees granted by Icelandic universities are fully recognised elsewhere….
The nation stands at a major crossroads in health care. The government took the decision to allocate one-quarter of the funds received from the sale of Iceland Telecom to the construction of a new, high-tech hospital. This is yet another case of returning to the nation the value which it has created….Recent efforts have been aimed at integrating health care institutions throughout Iceland under a single administration….
In response to a study on the rights of the parents of chronically ill children, the government has decided to ensure financial assistance for parents should they be forced to give up paid employment or postpone their education as a result of their children being diagnosed with a chronic illness or serious disability.
The government has also decided to devote ISK 1 billion of funds from the sale of Iceland Telecom to solving housing shortages and improving services for the mentally handicapped throughout the country. The aim is to eliminate waiting lists and secure satisfactory living conditions for this group.
I announced at the end of last year that a study should be carried out on the standing of the Icelandic family. The family committee that I appointed now has this task in hand. Various exciting ideas are under review…. [including] how to meet the needs of parents of children in the nine- to eighteen-month age bracket, between the end of parental leave and the children’s admission to kindergarten….
Discrimination is not to be tolerated in Iceland, whether on grounds of colour, religion or sexual orientation. For this reason a bill will shortly be introduced to advance the rights of homosexuals. I am confident that this assembly will be unanimous in facilitating the motion and putting this important legal amendment into effect as soon as possible….
Madam Speaker,
One of the most important tasks for the Althingi [parliament] and the nation as a whole during the remainder of this term of office is the revision of the constitution….
There is a strong demand among the people of this country for the holders of state power to perform their duties responsibly with the public good as their guide and that high standards should be achieved in administration, legislation and justice. There is a general demand for a renewal of representative democracy to enable the public to play an active role in decision-making on issues of common interest, not only in parliamentary elections at four-year intervals but also in the interim, for example by national referenda….
It is my hope that we will eventually be able to look back and pride ourselves on the fact that by means of transparent and careful working methods during the revision of the constitution we have provided new support for democracy in Iceland.
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