Nova Scotia Energy Minister Bill Estabrooks, seen in 2009, says federal MPs should allow the auditor general to review their expenses. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

Nova Scotia politicians mired in an expense scandal are urging their federal counterparts to stop blocking an audit of their spending habits.

Bill Estabrooks, Nova Scotia's NDP energy minister, says the members of Parliament who sit on the all-party internal economy board were wrong to deny the federal auditor general's request to submit MPs' expenses to a performance audit.

"They would do themselves a big favour if they said, 'I've got nothing to hide. Come in and have a look at how I spent the taxpayers' money,"' Estabrooks says, adding that the process was painful but necessary in Nova Scotia.

"We've learned that lesson in Nova Scotia. Some of us learned it the hard way."

The Nova Scotia audit, tabled Feb. 3, revealed numerous examples of inappropriate and excessive spending. It prompted the resignation of a former cabinet minister, an overhaul of spending regulations and a police investigation that could lead to criminal charges.

It was the first audit of its kind in 15 years.

The spending included the use of constituency allowances to pay for big-screen TVs, a model boat, electric generators, a video game, a $738 espresso maker and custom-made furniture worth more than $13,000.

Estabrooks says auditor general Sheila Fraser should be allowed to review Parliament's $500 million in spending, because something has to be done to improve the image of politicians.

"The federal MPs, if they've learned anything, I would hope they understand the fact that, as politicians, we have a tarnished reputation — not just in Nova Scotia, but across the country," he says.

"I would hope that they would follow our lead and follow some of the changes that we've brought in and say, 'Let's be open, let's be accountable."'— Nova Scotia Energy Minister Bill Estabrooks

"I would hope that they would follow our lead and follow some of the changes that we've brought in and say, 'Let's be open, let's be accountable."'

Leo Glavine, an Opposition Liberal, says he's heard from constituents who say it's time for Parliament to make itself as accountable as Nova Scotia's house of assembly.

"In light of what has happened in Nova Scotia, they are astounded that MPs and leaders of parties are taking the current stand," said Glavine, who represents a riding in the Annapolis Valley.

"This is the essence of what creates a cynical public …. The longer that Sheila Fraser is not permitted to carry out her work, it's going to come back to negatively impact many of our MPs across the country."

Not all Nova Scotia politicians, however, spoke out in favour of letting Fraser conduct an audit.

Premier Darrell Dexter wouldn't comment on what is going on in Ottawa.

"That's up to those guys, federal politicians, to deal with," he says, adding that he's eager to see the cloud of scandal lift in Nova Scotia.

Meanwhile, federal politicians are feeling the heat from voters. Nova Scotia MP Peter Stoffer, a New Democrat, says he's getting up to 20 calls a day from angry constituents.