Premier Agrees With Recommendations of Auditor General

Premier Darrell Dexter today, Feb. 8, said he accepts and agrees with the recommendations of the Auditor General with regards to MLA expenses.

"I believe that the regulations need to be updated to reflect a contemporary office or working environment and that clear, adequate, guidelines are required," said Premier Dexter.

Premier Dexter also announced that he contacted the Speaker and the leaders of the opposition parties to inform them of his desire that the Internal Economy Board be disbanded.

"I asked the opposition leaders to work with government over the next few weeks to prepare legislation to replace the Internal Economy Board with a modern legislature management commission based on best practices, operating in the open with a framework of accountability and specific direction that is publically debated and adopted by the legislature," said Premier Dexter.

The new legislation will set clear limits on what can be expensed and why. The proposed commission will standardize the system of procurement, leasing and staffing. It is also Premier Dexter's wish that the meetings of the commission be public.

Premier Dexter also asked the Speaker to seek an immediate change in the regulations so that members are now required to deduct their own meals from any expense claim they submit on a day they qualify for a per diem.