NLIS

March 30, 2004
(Executive Council)

 

Williams Brings Openness, Accountability to Premier�s Office

Premier Danny Williams has ended the previous government�s practice of burying the salaries of some political staff employed to do the work of the Premier�s Office in the appropriations for other offices and, at the same time, has reduced total expenditures in the Premier�s Office.

"This year�s budget is a fiscally-responsible document that highlights our administration�s desire and commitment to lead by example in reducing expenditures," said Premier Williams. Overall expenditures for the Premier�s Office have decreased by $128,000, including a drop in the travel budget by 38 per cent - a decrease of $143,000.

"No longer will appropriations for the Premier�s Office be inappropriately buried in budget documents or within other departments or divisions to which the expenditure of that appropriation does not relate," said the Premier. "The previous government demonstrated a poor attitude towards accountability by burying these salaries in the budgets for other offices. We will not follow their example.

"We will also not classify employees as temporary that would normally be classified as permanent simply to appear to have fewer people employed in the Premier�s Office," said the Premier. Under the previous administration, 26 positions were associated with the work of the Premier�s Office, though the Departmental Salary Details accounted for just 15. Only 15 positions were designated permanent, five were classified temporary (hence not recorded in the Departmental Salary Details), four were charged to Executive Council and two were charged to the Government Members� Offices. The total cost of those salaries in 2003-04 was $1.39 million, yet last year�s budget for the Premier�s Office accounted for just $981,000 of that.

Premier Williams has reduced the total number of staff working with the Premier�s Office from 26 to 22, only one of whom is classified as temporary. Outside of annualized salary increases, there has been no new money to fund salaried positions. Four vacant posts will remain unfilled unless needed.

Total salary appropriations associated with the Premier�s Office have actually fallen by about $153,000 when compared to the previous administration.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier (709) 729-3960

2004 03 30       3:30 p.m.


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