Joyce also said that Minister Shelley today confirmed on CBC Radio that he has been misusing his Ministerial role and paying for rental cars to go to his district to fulfill political duties through his departmental budget. Over $2000 has been spent on car rentals in his first three weeks.

"How can the minister justify going from Deer Lake to Rocky Harbour for one day and submitting a bill for a car rental to his department for $653.61? This minister is showing a cavalier attitude about his role as a cabinet minister," said Mr. Joyce. "On the CBC interview, Mr. Shelley said that he makes no apologies for using departmental funds for constituency work. All MHA’s have a constituency budget which they are supposed to use for visiting their district and doing their political work. In Mr. Shelley’s case, this amounts to $50,000 a year, and he also has an $8000 car allowance for his private vehicle that he is permitted to access as a minister. In this case, Mr. Shelley has decided to breach Treasury Board Guidelines and charge political activities to his department. This is not an acceptable practice.

"Mr. Shelley obviously doesn’t realize the seriousness of this practice and I feel Mr. Shelley should accept responsibility and ensure that no further constituency travel is charged to the department.

"If this is Premier Williams’ lead by example approach to government, I fear what will be the next example. We have already witnessed over $10,000 spent on unnecessary office renovations, an $8000 public relations trip for Michael Gourley, and now we have a cabinet minister under Mr. Williams who is admittedly breaking the Treasury Board Guidelines on Ministerial travel.

"I call for Mr. Shelley to immediately stop this practice and follow the guidelines issued by Treasury Board which Minister Sullivan has so strongly stated his government will follow."