GREENS MP Adele Carles has denied there was any misuse of taxpayer funds by either herself or disgraced former West Australian treasurer Troy Buswell during their four-month affair, despite Mr Buswell's public confession.
Ms Carles told a huge media contingent in Perth this afternoon that she was “shocked” when Mr Buswell confessed to the rorts on Monday, as she believed hotel accommodation was a legitimate entitlement when they were away on parliamentary business.
In a surprise criticism, Ms Carles accused Premier Colin Barnett of getting poor advice before his decision yesterday to force Mr Buswell to resign as Treasurer.
“I visited Mr Buswell when he was in those towns on legitimate business,” she said.
“I was so concerned about the statement (he made) that I rang the Premier Colin Barnett on his home telephone on Monday evening.
“Unfortunately the Premier did not call me, so he did not get an opportunity to hear my position on this before he spoke to the former treasurer the next morning”.Ms Carles said she could not comment on the use of ministerial cars by Mr Buswell as she had no knowledge of it.
Looking fragile and upset, Ms Carles said she believed the affair was a private matter and she had not wanted it made public. But she was told she must speak up by her Greens colleagues.
“The last thing I wanted to do was go public because of the impact on the families involved,” she said.
She said she understood the Greens' position and did not resent their decision but she disagreed with it.
She said her family had been humiliated. She also apologised to Mr Buswell's family for her actions.
Senior Greens MP Giz Watson said the party was concerned that the affair was “the worst kept secret in Perth” and that “secrets always come out”.
Ms Watson saluted Ms Carles for having the courage to front the media.
“I'm not calling for Adele to resign,” Ms Watson said.
Ms Carles refused to provide any details of her trips away with Mr Buswell, saying it was not appropriate while an investigation into their expenditure of public money was being carried out by the Public Sector Commissioner, Mal Wauchope.
The Australian
