Troy Buswell

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Troy Buswell
Constituency Vasse
Minister for Transport of Western Australia
Incumbent
Assumed office
14 December 2010
Preceded by Simon O'Brien
Minister for Housing of Western Australia
Incumbent
Assumed office
14 December 2010
Preceded by Bill Marmion
Treasurer of Western Australia
In office
23 September 2008 – 27 April 2010
Premier Colin Barnett
Preceded by Eric Ripper
Succeeded by Colin Barnett
Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia
In office
17 January 2008 – 4 August 2008
Deputy Steve Thomas
Preceded by Paul Omodei
Succeeded by Colin Barnett
Personal details
Born 19 March 1966 (1966-03-19) (age 45)
Bunbury, Western Australia
Nationality Australian
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Margaret (separated)

Troy Raymond Buswell (born 19 March 1966) is currently the Liberal member for the Western Australian Legislative Assembly seat of Vasse, and the Minister for Transport and Minister for Housing. He was Leader of the Opposition for several months in 2008, then served as Treasurer of Western Australia in the Barnett Liberal minority government for 19 months. He resigned from the ministry on 27 April 2010 following allegations of improper use of ministerial allowances during his affair with WA Greens and Fremantle MLA Adele Carles. He was re-appointed to the ministry on 14 December 2010 as Minister for Transport and Minister for Housing.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Buswell was born in the regional city of Bunbury, Western Australia. He was educated at Busselton Senior High School and later attained a Bachelor of Economics at University of Western Australia, where in 1986 he won the W.G. Salter Memorial Prize in Economics, which is awarded annually to the top student enrolled for the degree of Bachelor of Economics.

In 1992, he became the director of Villa Carlotta Group, which provided bus tours in the Busselton region, and also became involved with the Cape Naturaliste Tourism Association. On 14 November 1992, he married Margaret Cummins, with whom he had two sons Jacob and Samuel.

He served as a councillor with the Shire of Busselton in 1995–1996, and again in 2001–2003, before becoming its Shire President at the 2003 local government elections. He stepped down to contest the state election for the Liberal Party in the seat of Vasse, which is centred on Busselton. Some controversy arose over his preselection as he was chosen over the sitting member, Bernie Masters, who blamed then-deputy leader Dan Sullivan for the decision, quit the party and ran for the seat as an independent.[1] However, Buswell won the contest by 209 votes.[2]

[edit] Deputy leadership

With the unexpected resignation of Deputy Opposition Leader Paul Omodei in October 2005, Buswell was elected by the party room to replace Omodei in the role, serving under Matt Birney.

By August 2007, polling numbers had fallen below 14%, and media commentators speculated that Omodei would be toppled and replaced with Buswell within six months if he could not improve polling by the end of the year.[3][4][5] However, Buswell was being investigated by the Corruption and Crime Commission over allegations that he had met former Liberal powerbroker Noel Crichton-Browne, who was working as a lobbyist in conjunction with former premier Brian Burke, in a carpark to discuss the Canal Rocks development at Smiths Beach in Yallingup while he was still mayor of Busselton. On 9 October 2007, he was cleared by the CCC of any wrongdoing and pressure upon Omodei immediately increased.[6] Former party leader Colin Barnett, however, dismissed its significance, claiming Buswell would lead the Liberal Party at some future point but did not yet have the experience.[7]

On 28 November 2007, just after the 2007 federal election which saw a new Labor government under Kevin Rudd come into power, rumours of a push within the Liberal Party to install Buswell as state leader were reported in the media.[8] Omodei, however, promised to "land a good right hook" on anyone asking him to stand aside,[9] and asked for a "fair go" while announcing a swathe of new policies for the Party going forward.[10][11] On 23 December 2007, it was reported that Buswell was moving his family to Shenton Park in Perth's inner western suburbs due to lengthy periods of time away from his family.[12]

[edit] Leader of the Opposition

On 17 January 2008, Buswell made a challenge for the leadership of the state Liberal party and after a party room meeting won the position from Paul Omodei.[13]

In the following media conference, he refused to comment on allegations relating to a drunken night at parliament, where he snapped the back of a female Labor party staffer's bra-strap as a "party trick", and other "inappropriate and sexist behaviour".[14]

On 27 April 2008 further allegations were published, these included the sniffing of a chair of a female Liberal staffer as well as claims he crawled around on his hands and knees pretending to be the staffer's husband. Buswell first refused to deny the allegations,[14] and then subsequently admitted to the act.[15] The woman later revealed Buswell "was groaning and writhing in sexual pleasure".[16]

As well as these incidents, Buswell has been accused by retiring Liberal MLA for Carine, Katie Hodson-Thomas, of making sexist remarks to her.[17]

MLA for Roe Graham Jacobs called for a leadership spill motion, which took place on 5 May 2008,[18] but the motion failed and Buswell remained leader.[19]

Revelations also came out of Buswell "squirrel gripping" (grabbing the testicles of) Liberal MLA Murray Cowper in parliament. Cowper did not deny the incident, saying "As far as I'm concerned the matter's dead and it's time for everyone to move on, the media included."[20]

Buswell faced a fresh crisis when it was revealed in a Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) report on 10 June 2008 that a motion moved in Parliament by his staunchest backer, Shadow Minister for Road Safety John McGrath, had been provided to him by lobbyists Brian Burke and Julian Grill. Burke had written the motion on behalf of a company that sold radar detectors. The CCC report said Mr McGrath's claim he was unaware of Burke's commercial interest in the issue strained credibility. Buswell backed McGrath by claiming that he had been cleared of misconduct while McGrath refused to stand down.[21]

Three days later, Buswell sacked the Shadow Police Minister Rob Johnson after Johnson said he could not serve in the Shadow Cabinet with McGrath as Shadow Minister for Road Safety.[22]

Buswell resigned as Liberal leader and leader of the opposition on 4 August 2008.[23] He was replaced by Colin Barnett.[24]

[edit] Government

After resigning as leader, Buswell was granted a place on the Opposition front bench as Shadow Treasurer under new leader Colin Barnett. Following the state election in September 2008, where the incumbent Labor government was defeated and the National Party agreed to vote with the Liberal Party in the hung parliament, Buswell was named as Treasurer in Colin Barnett's new Cabinet.[25]

On 24 April 2010, Greens MP Adele Carles publicly stated that Buswell and herself had been engaged in an affair that lasted several months.[26] Buswell himself gave a public statement on 26 April confirming this and that he had used a ministerial car and a government credit card to pay for accommodation for himself and Carles. On 27 April, the premier demanded, and obtained, his resignation as a member of the ministry, although Buswell continued as the member for Vasse.[27]

Buswell was cleared of any misuse of public entitlements by Public Sector Commissioner Mal Wauchope's report which was tabled to state parliament by premier Colin Barnett on 23 June 2010.[28][29] The premier indicated that Buswell would not be considered for a cabinet position until the end of the year.[30][31] He was re-appointed to the ministry as Minister for Transport and Minister for Housing on 14 December 2010.[32]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Martin, Roger (17 February 2004). "Another top Lib walks out in anger". The Australian: p. 6. 
  2. ^ Western Australian Electoral Commission (30 November 2005). "District of Vasse - Two Candidate Preferred Results, 26 February 2005 State General Election". http://www.electionswa.com/content/2CP_Vasse.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
  3. ^ Spagnolo, Joe (5 August 2007). "Does anybody want to lead the Liberals?". The Sunday Times: p. 14. 
  4. ^ "Omodei: Federal Liberal impacting on my polling". ABC Online. 9 August 2007. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/09/2000913.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
  5. ^ Burrell, Andrew. "Omodei under pressure". Australian Financial Review: p. 14. 
  6. ^ O'Brien, Amanda (11 October 2007). "Burke on attack over CCC report". The Australian: p. 6. 
  7. ^ Banks, Amanda (11 October 2007). "Buswell wrong for next poll: Barnett". The West Australian: p. 7. 
  8. ^ "Omodei defiant as MPs push for leadership change". 28 November 2007. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/28/2103485.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
  9. ^ O'Brien, Amanda (29 November 2007). "Omodei threatens to go the biff". The Australian: p. 7. 
  10. ^ Weber, David (1 December 2007). "Leadership tensions for WA Liberals". AM (ABC). http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2007/s2106926.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-03. 
  11. ^ Taylor, Robert (1 December 2007). "Brutal reality looms for a likeable but lacklustre leader of party under siege". The West Australian: p. 4. 
  12. ^ Spagnolo, Joe (23 December 2007). "Buswell closer to Lib base". The Sunday Times: p. 13. 
  13. ^ "Buswell new WA Liberal leader". ABC Online. 17 January 2008. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/17/2140726.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-17. 
  14. ^ a b "WA MP embroiled in chair sniffing claim". 28 April 2008. http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=478389. 
  15. ^ "Seat-sniffing leader breaks down - National - smh.com.au". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 April 2008. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/04/29/1209234841901.html. 
  16. ^ "Buswell 'groaned with pleasure'". The Australian. 7 May 2008. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23657734-5006789,00.html. 
  17. ^ Lampathakis, Paul (20 January 2008). "Bad boy Buswell: Honestly, I've changed". The Sunday Times. 
  18. ^ "Buswell welcomes leadership spill - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/03/2234488.htm. 
  19. ^ "Chair-sniffing Troy Buswell remains Liberal leader". 5 May 2008. http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23646277-948,00.html. [dead link]
  20. ^ Perpitch, Nicolas (17 May 2008). "Troy Buswell accused of grabbing MP's testicles". The Courier-Mail. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23710071-2,00.html. 
  21. ^ Perpitch, Nicolas (11 June 2008). "Buswell backs John McGrath over Burke link". PerthNow. http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23845970-5017005,00.html. 
  22. ^ Spagnolo, Joe (13 June 2008). "Rob Johnson sacked from Liberal front bench". PerthNow. http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23853723-948,00.html. 
  23. ^ "Buswell announces resignation: ABC News 4/8/2008". http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/04/2323421.htm. 
  24. ^ "Barnett to demand loyalty as leader: ABC News 6/8/2008". http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/06/2325742.htm. 
  25. ^ "Barnett set to expand Cabinet". ABC News. 15 September 2008. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/15/2364846.htm. 
  26. ^ "Greens MP Adele Carles confesses to secret affair with Troy Buswell". Perthnow. 24 April 2010. http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/greens-mp-adele-carles-confesses-to-secret-affair-with-troy-buswell/story-e6frg12c-1225857829924. 
  27. ^ "Buswell Gone". The West Australian. 27 April 2010. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/7114425/buswell-gone/. 
  28. ^ Jones, Lloyd (23 June 2010). "Buswell, Carles cleared on entitlements". AAP. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/buswell-carles-cleared-on-entitlements-20100623-yy3q.html. 
  29. ^ Taylor, Paige (22 June 2010). "Disgraced Buswell likely to get his old chair back". The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/buswell-likely-to-get-his-old-chair-back/story-e6frg6nf-1225882971112. 
  30. ^ Troy Buswell and Adele Carles cleared over misusing entitlements AAP
  31. ^ Jones, Lloyd (22 June 2010). "Barnett blocks Buswell return for now". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/barnett-blocks-buswell-return-for-now-20100622-yug3.html. 
  32. ^ "Buswell back in cabinet". ABC News. 14 December 2010. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/14/3092546.htm. Retrieved 21 April 2011. 

[edit] Bibliography

Political offices
Preceded by
Paul Omodei		 Leader of the Opposition
2008		 Succeeded by
Colin Barnett
Party political offices
Preceded by
Paul Omodei		 Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia (WA division)
2008		 Succeeded by
Colin Barnett
Liberal (24)
Labor (26)
Nationals WA (5)
Independents (4)
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