2019 Policy Address To Focus On Land, Livelihood

Chief Executive Carrie Lam is preparing for her third Policy Address on Wednesday morning with the hope that the blueprint – likely to be heavy on livelihood and land-related initiatives – can help reverse the social discord and economic uncertainty brought on by four months of almost uninterrupted protests.

On Tuesday, Lam revealed that she again chose sky-blue as the theme colour for her third Policy Address – just like her first two – to symbolise a fresh start for the city.

But it remains a question whether the CE can even reach the Legco chamber to speak directly to legislators about her 200 new policy measures. Concerns that protesters could physically block Lam from getting to Legco prompted the council to make contingency plans for a live video feed.

Whatever the medium, land supply is once again tipped to top Lam’s list of policy priorities – with sources suggesting that the government could seize land from private developers for public housing by invoking the Lands Resumption Ordinance.

Another likely housing initiative is the creation of an independent body to spearhead a scheme to create more transitional housing for the ever-growing ranks of Hong Kong people waiting for public flats, and who cannot afford adequate housing.

Livelihood issues are expected to form another pillar of Lam’s address, with Executive Councillor Lam Ching-choi predicting that the blueprint will go big on anti-poverty measures, and initiatives to address the needs of the elderly.

Lam said he expects a particular emphasis on reviewing elderly social welfare and subsidy schemes.

However, there are low expectations for overtly political measures, despite calls for the Chief Executive to address the demands of the protest movement.