St. John's lawyer Dennis Browne appointed consumer advocate for N.L.

Lawyer Dennis Browne has been appointed consumer advocate for Newfoundland and Labrador for the second time.

His appointment was made through the Independent Appointments Commission. Browne, who replaces Tom Johnson, was the provincial consumer advocate from 1996-2004.

"Mr. Browne brings considerable experience to this position having served previously as consumer advocate for eight years," Andrew Parsons, minister of justice and public safety and attorney general, said in a press release Thursday.

"I am confident he will ensure full consumer representation during the important matters currently before the Public Utilities Board, including capital budget and general rate applications for Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro."

"I also thank Mr. Johnson for his many years of service as consumer advocate."

Tories slam appointment as patronage

The Progressive Conservatives, meanwhile, are calling the appointment a clear case of political patronage.

"The appointment of prominent Liberal Dennis Browne as the province's consumer advocate continues the pattern of handing out government jobs to Liberal friends — contrary to what the Liberals promised to do," Opposition Leader Paul Davis said in a release Thursday.

He went on to say the Liberals have repeated the pattern of favouring candidates with strong Liberal pedigrees, not the independent process they promised in the last election campaign.

"Instead of taking politics out of appointments, as [Dwight] Ball promised, the Liberals have cloaked their patronage by pretending the Independent Appointments Commission makes these appointments, when it does not."

Browne has been a practicing lawyer since 1984. He works with the firm Browne Fitzgerald Morgan and Avis in St. John's.