MLA expense lists show big spenders in all three parties
Posted Feb 11, 2010 05:18:52 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Nova Scotia’s opposition parties say they’re pleased the Speaker of the House has released a full list of MLA expenses.
Under pressure from the public and acting on orders from the premier, Charlie Parker has revealed who spent how much on what over the last three years.
Nine MLAs dropped more than $20,000 on office furniture and equipment, as well as video games, generators and ipods.
Former Tory MLA Len Goucher topped the list with a bill of $43,982.27 for 11 computers, 12 printers, five cameras, four video cameras, three mp3 players and the Xbox 360 game Dance Dance Revolution Universe.
Interim PC party leader Karen Casey, who made the formal request for the report, says it’s up to Goucher to explain why he made those purchases.
“Len Goucher is responsible for submitting his own expense claims and I think he is the person who has answer those questions,” she said. “I can’t answer them for him because I don’t know the explanation.”
Like Casey, Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says he’s pleased and relieved that Parker disclosed the full details of the spending scandal.
He says all three parties have been tarnished by the auditor-general’s report, which first brought excessive and inappropriate expense claims to light last week.
“This is not a party issue,” he said. “This is individual MLAs and the relationship they have with the speaker and representing their constituents.”
McNeil says he believes MLAs should be posting their monthly expenses online for public scrutiny.
Casey said that’s one idea, but added the Speaker needs to set some clear limits on some items.
“What’s the reasonable cost of a camera that would be needed in a constituency office?” she said “Put a ceiling on it.”
Among the leaders, Premier Darrell Dexter spend $21,931.49; Casey spent $19,625.77 and McNeil $8,314.93.
The sitting MLA with the highest expense list was Tory Alfie MacLeod, whose three-year bill totalled $36,477.63. The member with the lowest expense tally was the NDP’s Bill Estabrooks, who claimed just $2,325.01 over three years.
