WA Treasurer jumps before he is pushed over affair scandal

Troy Buswell

West Australian Treasurer Troy Buswell has resigned three weeks ahead of the state Budget following his admissions of adultery and using taxpayers' money during his affair with a Greens MP.

Buswell, a former State Liberal Party leader, had initially refused to step down when Adele Carles, the first Greens MP to be elected to a state lower house, made their affair public at the weekend.

But with revelations of the misuse of parliamentary perks and a sordid history of sexism and other wrongly-claimed expenses, Buswell was forced to jump by furious WA Premier Colin Barnett.

Buswell will remain on the Government backbenches, representing the seat of Vasse in the Busselton area south of Perth, where he and his wife Margaret had built up a bus and tourism business. Unconfirmed reports said that the couple had now separated.

Buswell's resignation is a serious blow for the WA Government, apart from the complications of an imminent Budget that will now be presented by Barnett as stand-in Treasurer.

Buswell was considered one of the Liberals' most capable political performers and would have led the party into the election won by Barnett in 2008 were it not for a series of scrapes.

Buswell admitted sniffing the chair of a party staffer, snapping another's bra strap and grabbing the testicles of a male MP. He was also required to repay incorrect travel claims twice last year.

Buswell, the father of two sons, admitted to a four-month affair with Carles, also married with three daughters. He also confirmed he had misused public funds on four occasions during the affair, including the use of ministerial cars and accommodation, but said he would repay the money.

Barnett said that while it was not up to him to judge the morality of the liaison, the affair showed very poor judgment on the part of public figures and the misuse of public money was unacceptable.

"The issue of entitlements which I have become aware of, that was the last straw."