Labrador MHA named in audits won't run again

Wally Andersen, who was named last year in audits of questionable spending at Newfoundland and Labrador's legislature, has decided to not seek re-election in October.

The Liberal MHA, who has represented the northern Labrador district of Torngat Mountains for 11 years, received $344,465 more than his entitlements in constituency allowances, Auditor General John Noseworthy said in a series of reports released in 2006.

Andersen said his decision has nothing to do with the legislative spending scandal, which rocked political circles last year and cut across all party lines.

"I'll be up front it's been difficult at times," Andersen told CBC News. "But as I travel my riding and continue to do my work, I can say in all honesty I strongly feel and know that the support would be there for me if I decided to run again."

Andersen was one of five politicians named in Noseworthy's reports. Of the four who were sitting in the legislature at the time, Andersen is the last to declare to his political future.

Noseworthy's reports also named former Liberal cabinet minister Jim Walsh, Liberal Percy Barrett, former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Ed Byrne and New Democrat Randy Collins.

Walsh had been defeated in the 2003 election. Byrne, who was forced out of cabinet in June 2006 when Noseworthy's first report was released, resigned his seat by the end of the year.

Collins resigned his seat this winter, and Barrett announced in June he will not run in the general election, scheduled for Oct. 9.

Andersen was first elected to represent Torngat Mountains which consists of communities along Labrador's northern coast in 1996.

Andersen, whohas never commented directly on Noseworthy's findings, said that after three terms in politics, it's time to slow down.

"I can say that over the years I've stuck with the people," he said. "I've give them the blood, sweat and, yes, I can say I gave them tears."

Herb Jacque, the leader in the Inuit community of Makkovik, said Andersen's decision came as a surprise.

"I thought he would run again," Jacque said. "Wally has done a lot for the north coast communities by getting new schools, creating employment in the community [and] doing a lot for the people."

Andersen will represent the seat until the October election. After that, he said, he intends to spend time with his family, and may pursue work as a policy advisory with Nunatsiavut, the Inuit government in Labrador.