In a press release issued on March 30^th, 2004, the Premier stated that his travel budget decreased by $143,000 and salary expenditures in his office decreased by $153,000. In the same press release, the Premier stated that no staff positions for his office would be hidden throughout government departments.

"It is obvious that the Premier’s attempt at being open and accountable is nothing more than window dressing," said Mr. Grimes. "While the Premier says all of the positions in his office are listed in the budget, the expenditure for Ross Reid, his deputy minister, is listed under Executive Council. It is a well-known fact that Mr. Reid works in the Premier’s Office, he is even listed on the Premier’s website as a staff member of his office. However, his position and salary of $131,698 is hidden under Executive Council. Is this the Premier’s idea of openness and accountability?

"The Premier also stated in his March 30^th press release that his travel budget would decrease. If you include his travel budget for Intergovernmental Affairs and Business, this budget inflates to $316,700, much more than the $264,000 budgeted for the Premier’s Office last year. This is another hidden trick by this Premier to hide his expenditures. Instead of one budget to use for his travel needs, the Premier now has three from which to choose.

"If this Premier wants to be open and accountable as he claims, his first step should be presenting accurate information to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. His attempts to hide his expenditures is another example that this Premier is not being up front with the people. The Premier has already admitted that his government released false documents under the Freedom of Information Act related to the budget. He should now admit that his budget press releases are as reliable as those documents."