Better explanation needed following Buswell resignation: Mark McGowan

Mr Buswell admitted to the Premier that he had been involved in an incident in which he crashed his ministerial car into part of a fence at his Subiaco home in February before taking leave for what the Premier described as a "breakdown".

While there are reports that Mr Buswell had spent the day drinking before driving home, the police have no evidence of this.

Premier Colin Barnett told media on Monday that he found out about the incident on Sunday, the same day that Mr Buswell resigned during a telephone conversation.

Opposition leader Mark McGowan wished Mr Buswell and his family all the best in his recovery but said the government had questions to answer.

"It is about the government, and in particular the Premier, and the handling of these issues," he said.

"I think the public deserves a fuller and better explanation of what has gone on here."

Mr McGowan said there were serious questions to be answered and called for any and all police information on the matter to be released immediately and for ministerial staff to provide information about what they knew and when.

"A cloud of doubt that hangs over the Premier's explanation and a doubt about who knew what and when," Mr McGowan said.

"I think anyone who knew anything about these issues inside the government should have revealed it to the Premier and the Police Minister."

While Mr McGowan admitted that mental health was a "sensitive" subject he said if he were the Premier he "would've asked a lot of questions about it".

"I would've wanted to know exactly what went on," he said.

Mr McGowan also said he found it unusual that police did not have details that a minister lived at the address they attended, information, he said which is usually available to police.

Mr McGowan said changes to Treasury so close to budget were not good for the government.

EARLIER: WA Treasurer and Vasse MLA Troy Buswell has resigned from the Cabinet of the West Australian government.

Premier Colin Barnett told media on Monday morning that he had yesterday accepted the resignation from Mr Buswell, who also holds the Transport portfolio.

The reason behind Mr Buswell's decision was in regard to mental health issues he was facing, he revealed.

Mr Barnett said while he had known for two of weeks that Mr Buswell had suffered a "breakdown" and was seeking treatment he only found out about Mr Buswell crashing his ministerial car the night before taking leave, on Sunday.

Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan revealed police were not aware of Troy Buswell's involvement in what they had thought was a regulation traffic incident until Sunday.

Mr O'Callaghan confirmed police received a complaint on February 23 of a car being driven erratically on Roberts Road, Subiaco but said officers were not aware Mr Buswell was involved.

The Premier said he received a call from Mr Buswell on Sunday afternoon in which Mr Buswell resigned effective immediately.

This means while he has given up his ministerial responsibilities, he will stay on as Member for Vasse.

The Premier had been told about an incident in which Mr Buswell allegedly crashed his car while driving home after a day drinking at a wedding, by a staff member a couple of hours before Mr Buswell spoke to him.

Mr Barnett said he was not fully aware of the car crash until Sunday, March 9  at about 2pm.

Mr Barnett said Mr Buswell did not try to make excuses for what happened and that he had "little recollection" of what had happened.

The Premier has taken over the treasury and transport portfolios for now but is expected to appoint a minister to replace Mr Buswell more permanently by the end of the week.

Mr Barnett said it was a sad day for himself and Mr Buswell who is no stranger to controversy.

“Troy has made an enormous contribution to the State of Western Australia in a number of ministerial portfolios and as Treasurer,” the Premier said. 

“I wish him the very best for the future.”

February 23

Mr Barnett was advised by his chief-of-staff that Troy Buswell would not be attending Cabinet the following day and also said that he'd received that call from Troy Buswell's chief-of-staff who was "quite upset."

February 24

Mr Buswell's chief-of-staff Rachael Turnseck spoke with the Premier prior to the Cabinet meeting in private to advise him that Mr Buswell was in medical care after a breakdown and requested privacy.

Mr Barnett announced that Mr Buswell was on personal leave.

He did not inform Cabinet of Mr Buswell's condition but did tell his Deputy Premier Kim Hames.

February 26

Mr Barnett became aware that Mr Buswell had been admitted to hospital in Perth (he was later transferred to a clinic in Sydney).

February 28

Mr Barnett realised Mr Buswell would be away for "more than a few days" and stepped in as Acting Treasurer and Transport Minister.

March 4

Mr Barnett advised Cabinet that Mr Buswell's absence was health related and that he'd be acting in his place for two weeks.

March 9

At 2pm, Mr Barnett received a message from a member of his staff that Mr Buswell wanted to speak to him but he was driving and couldn't take calls. The member of staff told Mr Barnett about Mr Buswell's driving incident two weeks earlier.

Mr Buswell phoned Mr Barnett at 4.30pm, resigned from Cabinet citing mental health issues and apologised about the driving incident which he said he had little recollection of.

- with WAtoday.