ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Federal cabinet minister Loyola Hearn says he's had to resort to keeping "one step ahead" of Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams, but he denies he has spies within the provincial government.

Hearn said he knows as much about the goings on within the Newfoundland and Labrador government as the premier himself because he pays attention.

"I probably know as much about what goes on in cabinet and caucus as the premier does," Hearn said after a funding announcement Thursday.

"That's why we're a step ahead. I always like to know where I'm going. I always size up the opposition. I always try to figure out what makes people tick."

Hearn, the province's regional minister in Ottawa, has been the subject of repeated attacks from Williams for more than a year in the premier's battle with the prime minister over equalization.

His comments Thursday echo those he recently said.

Williams was unavailable for comment, but in a recent interview he called Hearn's remarks "infantile, but also very, very dangerous."

Hearn, the federal fisheries and oceans minister, denied suggestions he has allies within the provincial government who've leaked confidential cabinet information to him.

"Anybody who's tuned in can be pretty close to that," he said.

His comments come one week before a planned first ministers' meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa on Jan. 11.