The Official Opposition has obtained a copy of Dr. Desmond Whalen’s employment contract, confirming concerns about the use of MCP funds to compensate a political advisor and the blatant circumvention of the political staff pay scale.
Despite claims from Premier Wakeham that Dr. Whalen will provide medical expertise, and false comparisons of his position to those of physicians in the Department of Health and Community Services, the contract confirms his role as Political Support Staff and his appointment as Special Advisor to the Premier. It also states that his duties shall be “those duties normally performed by special advisors to the Premier.”
The contract clearly states, in black and white, that he will be paid according to the salary scale for Specialist Physicians to provide political advice to the Premier.
The contract further specifies that Dr. Whalen will receive an annual bonus of $13,000. This bonus, which other members of the Premier’s Office do not receive, is also paid out of the MCP budget.
The Official Opposition is calling on Premier Wakeham to explain why he believes it is appropriate to pay for political advice using funds intended for health care services. “MCP provides government-funded coverage for medically necessary services such as hospital visits, surgical procedures, and diagnostic tests for eligible residents. I simply do not agree that health care funding should be used to provide political advice to the Premier,” said Leader John Hogan.
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