Cabinet ministers running for leadership can make individual choice

Premier Beaton Tulk said today that cabinet ministers who declare their intention to seek the leadership of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador are free to decide whether or not they wish to remain in cabinet during their campaign.

"It is the precedent that ministers have stayed in cabinet during leadership contests; and it would be my preference that cabinet ministers who intend to seek the leadership remain in cabinet," said Premier Tulk. "I feel these ministers have a valuable contribution to make in the governing of this province."

The premier went on to point out that any cabinet minister who remains in his or her post will be required to comply with the following guidelines.

Any minister desiring to participate as a candidate in the 2000-2001 provincial Liberal Leadership Campaign is free to do so without having to resign as minister, and without any reduction in remuneration, as long as:

• departmental duties are either carried out by the minister, or by arrangement with the minister�s alternate, with the minister having responsibility to ensure performance in a manner acceptable to the premier;

• campaign activities do not involve any criticism of government policy or the performance of any other minister;

• the minister will not make any governmental or departmental policy or position announcement during the campaign without prior approval of the premier;

• the minister�s political staff continue to maintain a liaison between the minister and the department and any alternate minister involved; and

• ministers will not be directly involved in fund-raising and will appoint a chief financial officer who will carry out all financial functions of the minister�s leadership campaign.

Other ministers campaigning on behalf of a candidate are directed to ensure that their participation in the campaign is consistent with these guidelines.

Media contact: Paula Dyke, Communications, (709) 729-3960.

2000 11 01 3:55 p.m.