Inaugural Address by Bondevik's Government 1997

Madam President,

The Government regards its work as a service to the people and the country and takes up its duties with deep respect for those it has been appointed to serve.

The Government will base its policies on the document drawn up on 14 October by the Christian Democratic Party, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party, and these parties will provide its parliamentary basis in the Storting.

This Government was formed when the Labour Government resigned following the general election.

The Government wishes to invite the representatives of all the parties in the Storting to enter into constructive cooperation on a case-to-case basis, an approach necessitated by the parliamentary situation.

The Government will work to achieve a society that reflects the following:

• a fundamental system of values
• equality and equal status
• democratic government and transparency in the public administration
• active self-government at local level
• a strong business sector and universal employment
• international solidarity and cooperation
• responsible management of the environment and natural resources
• greater social and geographic cohesion
• good health care and care of the elderly
• strong, healthy families and viable local communities
• a rich cultural life and a forward-looking educational system

The Government will pursue policies which are firmly anchored in our national, Christian cultural heritage. Freedom of thought, tolerance and diversity will be our guiding principles.

A society based on solidarity and humanitarian principles is dependent on people who show compassion for each other, who care for the most disadvantaged and who take responsibility for others, for the environment and for future generations.

Concern about the disintegration of values and morals in our society has been expressed in various quarters. The Government will appoint a broad-based committee to discuss how to mobilize public opinion on values and social ethics with a view to reversing disruptive trends. This could also provide the basis for individuals to take greater responsibility for themselves and each other. The Government is guided by confidence in the individual, and will promote delegation and decentralization, thus creating a bottom-up mobilization of responsibility in society.

A viable, decentralized democracy with broad-based participation is essential in order to meet the great challenges facing today’s society.

A Report will be submitted to the Storting concerning transparency in relation to the public administration, as will proposals for amendments to the Freedom of Information Act which will enhance transparency.

The objectives of the Government’s foreign, defence and security policies are to safeguard our country’s freedom, independence and democratic form of government, achieve a more equitable distribution between rich and poor in a global context, and actively contribute to international efforts for peace, democracy, human rights and the protection of the environment.

The Government attaches great importance to cooperation between the Nordic countries. The cooperation with the Baltic countries will be continued. The Government will work to strengthen the United Nations and will lend its active support to the ongoing reform process.

A credible defence will be maintained and Norway’s security policy will continue to be firmly anchored in NATO. The Government supports NATO peacekeeping operations carried out under a mandate from the UN or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and supports a gradual enlargement of NATO alongside a parallel strengthening of cooperation with Russia.

Through the chairmanship of the OSCE, Norway will have a special opportunity to further develop Euro-Atlantic cooperation. The Government will continue its support for and commitment to the peace process in the Middle East.

The EEA Agreement forms the primary basis for Norway's relations with the EU. The Government advocates an independent, national assessment of the legislation that derives from the EEA Agreement.

The Government notes that there is a majority in the Storting in favour of negotiations concerning Norway's continued association with the Schengen cooperation. The Government will work to safeguard Norwegian interests, for example, by retaining the Nordic Passport Union, an issue in which Denmark's response will also be significant. An evaluation is now being made of the constitutional questions connected with a new Schengen agreement.

Norway will pursue a policy of solidarity in relation to the developing countries. The Government will draw up plans for debt relief for the developing countries and will increase Official Development Assistance to 1 per cent of GDP.

The Government will work actively to promote basic human rights in countries where such rights are violated. This must be done through political and diplomatic channels, but it could also have consequences for international trade and economic cooperation.

The right to asylum must be strengthened for those who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted, cannot return to their country of nationality without risking their lives or safety. The Government will review the practice followed for granting residency on humanitarian grounds and family reunification with a view to liberalization, and will advocate that the current intake of quota refugees be increased by about 500.

The Government's economic policy will prepare the ground for the sound, long-term, ecological management of resources and universal employment. The welfare state is dependent on a healthy economy. Total domestic public and private consumption must be maintained at a level that keeps the economy from overheating.

The aim of our monetary and exchange rate policy will continue to be a stable exchange rate for the Norwegian crown. The social partners are invited to take part in income policy cooperation based on the main lines of the recommendations of the Employment Commission.

The Government's tax policy will be based on the following:

• The ability to pay principle
• Higher taxes for undesirable use of resources and pollution; and tax relief for employing labour
• A convergence of the level of taxation on income from employment and capital
• Tax rules that encourage active ownership in the business sector
• Promote saving rather than higher consumption

Our oil revenues must be managed in such a way that they benefit future generations and do not generate excessive pressures in the Norwegian economy. Some of the revenues will be earmarked for a fund for public procurement of modern technological equipment for the health service, the education and research sector and the police. Insofar as such procurement is made abroad, this should be carried out in a manner that has a limited effect on domestic demand.

Investments, research and development must be targeted to a greater degree at mainland Norway. The Government will make active used of the exploration and concession policy to achieve a stable production of oil and gas at a lower level. No new exploration or drilling licences will be granted in ecologically vulnerable areas.

The Government will employ a far-sighted energy policy to curb the increase in energy consumption with a view to stabilizing it in the long term. The Government will increase investments in energy-conservation measures and alternative renewable energy sources. The Government will review the Energy Act with a view to achieving better control by society of the management of our hydropower resources.

The Government will submit a plan of action for small and medium-sized enterprises and will develop the potential of the tourist industry.

The Government advocates that the state continues to be heavily involved in commercial areas in which important national resources are managed, for example, the petroleum industry and energy supplies. The state also has important tasks in the transport sector, especially as regards the Norwegian State Railways and Norway Post.

The Government will design a new strategy for increasing Norwegian ownership in the business sector. A certain portion of the state shareholdings in Den norske Bank and Christiania Bank will be sold to a wide variety of investors. Various measures to stimulate the sale of these shareholdings and the possibility of lock-in periods will be assessed in this connection. The Government will not advocate state ownership that is lower than that required for a minority position.

The Government will make use of the entire country. Jobs, capital and power will therefore be decentralized. A policy for viable local communities requires:

• Measures enabling the municipalities to take care of basic welfare tasks.
• An industrial policy providing for good conditions for the primary industries and the development of enterprises on the basis of natural advantages, our high level of education and modern technology.

The expansion of transport facilities is an important regional policy instrument and is of great importance for the flow of traffic and the environment in built-up areas. The Government's intention is that Norway should lead the way in the field of traffic safety.

The Government will work to expand the highway system in Norway. Priority will be given to public transport in towns and built-up areas. The Government will propose measures to equalize fuel prices.

Postal and telecommunication services are important functions which are to serve people all over the country. The Government will review the consequences of the restructuring of the postal and telecommunication services.

The Ministry of Local Government and Labour will be strengthened and made responsible for coordinating regional development. The Government will evaluate the effects of the municipal revenue system.

The individual will be given an opportunity to own his own home. A programme will be drawn up for increasing the amount of rented housing.

In order to improve the environment and the standard of living, the Government will pursue an active urban policy whereby the centres of our large towns again become places for living, working and recreation.

The Government will continue to pursue an agricultural policy that encourages a varied farm structure, with a restrictive re-zoning policy and an active forestry policy. The Government is concerned that those making their living from agriculture should have an increase in income and social welfare benefits that are in line with those of the rest of society, and that the income gap that has arisen between them and other groups is narrowed.

The Government will pursue a policy that ensures food safety for consumers.

The Government will work to improve the management of our fisheries resources. The fishing fleet must be renewed in order to create a greater number and variety of jobs along the Norwegian coast. Projects that have been found to be in accordance with the regional and capacity objectives of our fisheries policy must be offered funding that is better suited to their needs.

The climate issue is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Emissions of green-house gases will be limited and, in the long term, reduced. In this connection, the Government is of the opinion that the building of gas-fired power plants in Norway would have unfortunate consequences. After the climate negotiations in Japan, the Government will submit a Report to the Storting on the consequences and follow-up for Norway, including the question of gas-fired power plants.

The Government advocates that our environmental and resource management be based on the precautionary principle. The environmental perspective must be cross-sectoral. The Government commits itself to following up the report of the Brundtland Commission by means of local follow-up plans.

The family is the basic social unit of society. The Government will pursue a family policy that helps to enhance gender equality. By means of a family policy reform, the parents of young children will be given greater freedom of choice as regards forms of care for their children. This requires that the financial situation of families with young children is such that they are able to choose, that those who so wish have access to child-care institutions and that flexible working-hour arrangements are available. The Government will therefore focus on expanding child-care facilities in parallel with improving the financial situation of families with children.

The target of child-care facilities for everyone by the year 2000 remains unchanged. The Government will submit a proposal to the Storting concerning a child-care support scheme in the form of a family allowance/cash grant for families that do not have places in child-care facilities. It is proposed that the scheme be phased in gradually, beginning on 1 August 1998, and that the amount should correspond to the government subsidy for a full-day place in a day-care institution.

The process of incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Norwegian law will be completed.

In the public sector the focus will be one the users and on management by objective. The Government will use information and communication technology to renew, improve and modernize the public sector.

Cultural policy is one of the cornerstones of our efforts to improve quality of life and well-being. The Government will encourage cultural activity, for instance, by building local cultural centres, and will promote both professional and amateur activities.

The Government will submit a Report to the Storting on a new opera house, with a view to starting construction during the current four-year period.

An additional review of the economic conditions for NGOs will be carried out, for instance with a view to improving tax rules.

The Government will give the Church of Norway as a religious community the freedom to act as a confessional, missionary and diaconal church. It should be open and inclusive. The Church must be given resources to realize the tasks set out in the new Act relating to the Church of Norway, which has been adopted by the Storting. The Comprehensive Catechumenical Programme will be enacted. The free church organizations and community will be ensured favourable working conditions.

Through legislation and other means, the Government will work to preserve the Sami language, culture and way of life. The Sami Assembly must in the long term be given greater decision-making powers.

The Government will pursue an active integration policy in order to counteract the development of discrimination and new class divisions. Every inhabitant of Norway ought to master enough Norwegian to be able to take active part in the community.

Investment in education and expertise is a long-term investment in human resources and quality of life. Everyone shall have the right to a proper education. By maintaining schools that adhere to a common standard, we will provide all pupils with a good, suitable educational programme, and a new Act relating to education will be submitted to ensure this. The Government will work to ensure a gradual reduction in the number of pupils in a class. The Government will work to ensure that all pupils have access to training in information technology at school.

The Government will retain the Act relating to private schools as a separate statute, and thereby respect the right of parents to choose an education for their children in accordance with the criteria set out in the Act.

The Government will work to improve student funding, and will work to raise the amount given as a grant to 40 per cent in the course of the current four-year period.

A Report to the Storting on further education will be submitted.

The Government will work to improve the conditions for research, and will increase the number of college and university places in the fields of health, pre-school teaching, police work and information technology.

The Government will work actively to counteract the trend towards greater differences in standards of living, and will submit a Report to the Storting on this subject.

The Government will propose that the minimum pension be increased by NOK 1,000 per month as from 1 May 1998. It will also improve support schemes for single parents and for other economically disadvantaged groups.

The Government will work to improve the conditions and rights of the disabled, among other things by means of user participation and greater accessibility.

The Government will draw up a plan of action to reduce alcohol consumption by 25 per cent.

In its health policy, the Government will focus on patients' needs and rights. Hospitals must be ensured better accessibility and capacity. The Government will work to improve preventive health care. A plan of action for psychiatric care, with a binding economic escalation schedule, will be submitted. The Government will submit a national plan of action for the care of cancer patients.

Society must protect all life - including that of the unborn - and afford the unborn child and the woman equal protection. Women must have access to advice and assistance when they are in a difficult situation, and support to anti-abortion counselling offices will be continued.

The Government will work to provide varied services for the elderly, based on the guidelines adopted by the Storting last spring. More widespread use of the system of payment to care-givers will be encouraged.

A study will be made of the causes of the increase in absence due to illness, and the Government will discuss with the social partners measures to remedy this. Employees' rights under the sick-pay scheme will remain unchanged.

A society characterized by transparency, a feeling of fellowship, equitable distribution and good conditions for children and young people to grow up in is a society that prevents crime. The Government will intensify efforts to combat ordinary crime and organized crime.

The Government will work actively to create a warmer society in which people feel that they have a responsibility for each other. Such a society is characterized by respect for the individual, a sense of personal responsibility, a caring attitude and consideration for others. Such a society cannot be created by parliamentary decision-making or the allocation of funds. The Government invites everyone voluntarily to join forces in an effort to build and maintain our social network. Through the sense of responsibility and commitment of the individual, we can prevent loneliness, alienation and materialism from becoming dominant features of Norwegian society. In this way we can create a society in which the focus is on respect for the individual.