Troy Buswell resigns from WA Cabinet Updated 3 minutes ago

WA Treasurer Troy Buswell has resigned from Cabinet following what Premier described as a "breakdown".

It follows reports he was involved in a car crash before taking personal leave more than two weeks ago, just two months before the state PHOTO: Troy Buswell. (ABC News) budget was due to be handed down. RELATED STORY: WA Treasurer Troy Buswell in car accident before leave: reports

At the time Premier Colin MAP: 6000 Barnett explained the leave by saying Mr Buswell had taken time off for health- related reasons.

Mr Barnett says Mr Buswell called him yesterday afternoon to tender his resignation.

Chief of Staff Rachael Turnseck alerted Mr Barnett to Mr Buswell's health condition on Monday, February 24th, the day after his ministerial car was involved in a crash outside his home.

"She advised me that Troy had had a breakdown, was not in good shape, very emotional, very upset, and that he was in medical care," he said.

"She also advised me that Troy had requested privacy, and I think that's the view of those close to him, that he needed that privacy from the condition he was going leave was quite appropriately described as personal leave and I called on people to respect his request for privacy. "Therefore, I did not inform Cabinet, nor the Liberal Party room of what I knew of his health condition."

Mr Barnett says Mr Buswell has been treated in hospital in Perth and a clinic in Sydney.

He has now been released but is still receiving medical treatment.

No recollection of crash

Mr Buswell's ministerial car was involved in a crash outside his home in Subiaco in the early hours of Sunday, February 23.

Mr Barnett said he was not informed about the car crash until yesterday afternoon.

Police say they received a call early that morning regarding a traffic matter at that location in Subiaco on that date and sent a police traffic enforcement vehicle. PHOTO: The damaged front bumper of Treasurer Troy Buswell's car. (ABC News: Graeme Powell) The vehicle is still sitting in the carport with its front bumper on the driveway.

Mr Barnett says Mr Buswell could not shed further light on the incident.

"He said he basically didn't have much recollection," he said.

"Not denying anything at all, making no excuses and could offer no reasonable explanation for what had happened.

"Again, he's very emotional, very upset, very apologetic."

Controversial career

Mr Buswell's career in politics has been marred by indiscretions. He was previously forced to resign as the leader of the WA Liberal Party in 2008 after admitting he sniffed the chair of a female staff member and snapped a Labor staffer's bra.

He was then appointed to the front bench under new leader Colin Barnett.

He again stepped down from the front bench as WA Treasurer in 2010, after allegations surfaced that he used public funds to arrange meetings with lover and then Greens MP .

Mr Buswell and Ms Carles were both cleared of misusing ministerial entitlements in June 2010 and Mr Buswell returned to the front bench in December.

He was advised by the Premier when appointed Treasurer that he was on his final warning.

Last year, the Treasurer denied trying to hide a controversial budget decision involving the WA Insurance Commission, which allowed the Government to take up 65 per cent of the commission's profits.

Mr Buswell has recently been criticised by the State Opposition for using double standards regarding leave targets.

Since Mr Buswell directed government agencies to cap leave liabilities in 2012, the levels have instead increased by 13 per cent to around $375 million.

Shadow Treasurer Ben Wyatt said last month the situation was hypocritical.

"What this is, is more financial crisis, more financial disarray and a government that simply has no ability to deliver on the strong rhetoric that it likes to spout," he said.

The Premier has assumed temporary responsibility of the Treasury portfolio, and will be assisted with the budget process by the Finance Minister .

Topics:state-parliament, perth-6000

First posted 51 minutes ago