Judge's review of MHA compensation due Monday

A top-level review of how Newfoundland and Labrador politicians are compensated will be delivered to Premier Danny Williams on Monday, although its contents are not expected to be released immediately.

Derek Green, the chief justice of the Newfoundland Supreme Court, has completed his review of constituency allowances and other matters related to how members of the house of assembly are remunerated.

Williams commissioned Green to write the report last June, days after Auditor General John Noseworthy began releasing reports on overpayments made to MHAs.

The legislative spending scandal, which continued over the months to follow, rocked political circles and caused fallout across party lines. Williams lost one of his top lieutenants, former natural resources minister Ed Byrne, who was forced from cabinet in June and resigned from the legislature altogether in the fall.

By the end of 2006, Noseworthy had named five politicians from the three main political parties as having received about $1.6 million more than they were entitled to through their constituency allowances.

Under the current system, each member of the house is eligible to make tax-free claims in order to run a constituency office and for related expenses.

Green's report is also expected to make recommendations on financial management and controls at the house of assembly.

Noseworthy's reports, particularly those released last summer, showed that about $2.6 million of legislative funds were paid for things like commemorative pins, fridge magnets and even 750 rings that cost taxpayers about $750 each.

Bill Murray, the house's director of financial operations, was suspended last June.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary opened an investigation after Noseworthy's reports were tabled.

Noseworthy, meanwhile, is working on an investigation into how MHAs have used their constituency allowances over the years. Last year's reports disclosed that a former Liberal cabinet minister had once claimed wine and art through his allowance.

Green's report was originally expected in November.

However, he asked for extra time to deal with complex issues involved with the review.