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Minister Hickey should be removed from cabinet until investigation complete January 8, 2007 Kelvin Parsons, Opposition Justice Critic and MHA for the District of Burgeo-Lapoile, says Transportation and Works Minister John Hickey should be removed from cabinet until the investigation is complete into allegations of double-billing from his constituency allowance. Earlier today, Auditor General John Noseworthy released two reports outlining instances of double-billing by Transportation and Works Minister John Hickey and Humber Valley MHA Kathy Goudie. In his two reports, the Auditor General recommends an investigation by the Department of Justice into potential criminal wrongdoing. "We have written Premier Williams asking what he intends to do in this instance," said Mr. Parsons. "It is certainly unacceptable to re-appoint Minister Hickey to cabinet when the Auditor General filed a Section 15(1) on double-billing from his constituency allowance. Mr. Noseworthy has recommended that this report be forwarded to the Department of Justice to determine whether there was any criminal wrongdoing. "Last June, when the Auditor General filed a similar recommendation related to overspending by Minister Ed Byrne, he was asked to resign pending the outcome of an investigation by the Department of Justice. I do not understand why Minister Hickey is not being treated in the same manner. The Auditor General has obviously found instances of possible wrongdoing and it is not the job of the premier of our province to determine the guilt or innocence of his cabinet ministers. "Whether the premier likes it or not, there is a process in place that is supposed to be followed when the Auditor General discovers potential wrongdoing. While it may not suit the premier’s political agenda, the proper process should be followed. Re-appointing Minister Hickey before due process is complete is nothing more than a snub to the Auditor General and the work he is currently undertaking."
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