Newfoundland and Labrador opposition parties want Premier Danny Williams to bring the Hebron deal to the legislature for ratification, but Williams says that's not going to happen.

Provincial Liberal Leader Gerry Reid said he believes the province gave up local benefits to get a deal and he wants to see the terms of the agreement.

Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Leader Gerry Reid: 'And we're supposed to take the premier's word that this is all above board and better than we ever had before?'

"We're not going to see the details or the memorandum of understanding, let alone a deal," Reid told CBC News. "And we're supposed to take the premier's word that this is all above board and better than we ever had before?"

Provincial NDP Leader Lorraine Michael echoes Reid's position. She said people of the province have a right to know what's in the agreement and not just take Williams's word on it.

"I don't want to sound like I'm overly negative … this is good," Michael said. "But we have to know that full picture before we know exactly what it is we are getting out of this project."

Newfoundland and Labrador NDP Leader Lorraine Michael acknowledges the good news of the deal, but also wants to see the details of the agreement.

On Wednesday Williams announced the province and a consortium of oil companies, led by Chevron Canada, had reached a memorandum of understanding on developing the offshore Hebron oilfield. Williams released highlights of the deal, including a 4.9 per cent equity stake, increased royalties for the province and a promise that the gravity base structure would be built in the province, creating engineering and construction jobs.

Change of heart

Williams has been in the premier's seat for almost four years, but when he was in opposition, he was the one who demanded major deals, such as Voisey's Bay in Labrador, be brought to the house of assembly for ratification.

In 2001, Williams called on Premier Roger Grimes to release details of that mega-project agreement to the public.

"Premier, why are you denying the members of this house the right to debate an issue of such importance to the people of this province. What are you trying to hide?" Williams asked at the time.

But Williams has no immediate plans to subject his Hebron deal to the same scrutiny he demanded of the Liberals at the time, saying the province is bound by a confidentiality agreement.

"The process in this type of arrangement and when a project starts is that the parties do enter into [a memorandum of understanding.] That … can't be provided because it is a confidential document."

Williams said he won't be bringing the deal to the legislature for ratification.

"I hadn't even considered it quite frankly," Williams said. "[The opposition] would probably carry government in on their shoulders and pass it with a blink … This deal, is such a good deal for the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, that ratification wouldn't be an issue."