Vasse rallies for Buswell

The Busselton branch of the Liberal Party says Troy Buswell has their full support to continue in the role as Vasse MLA.

Premier Colin Barnett announced Mr Buswell resigned from Cabinet this week after revealing he was in a “poor state of health” and had been hospitalised after a breakdown following a car crash last month.

On Monday, Premier Colin Barnett thanked the people of the Vasse electorate for their good friendship and support of Mr Buswell over the years.

Busselton Liberal Party branch president Lee Herridge said he hadn’t spoken with Mr Buswell and the group were respecting his privacy but expected him back soon. “Before all this, at our branch meeting last week we said we would support him any way we can, ” Mr Herridge said.

“It would be up to him whether he continues as Vasse MLA but he has our full support.

“He did a great job before he was Treasurer and while we don’t know how long he will be on leave I am sure he will soon be back and pouring his energies into supporting the community; it is still three years to the next election.”

Opposition leader Mark McGowan wished Mr Buswell all the best and said he hoped he made a quick and full recovery from his current health issues. “Mr Buswell has been duly elected to the seat of Vasse and I would not like to see a by-election, but it is really a matter for Mr Buswell to decide his own future, ” Mr McGowan said.

Mr Barnett said he hadn’t discussed whether Mr Buswell would stay on in politics but hoped he would. “I think at the moment his concentration quite properly is on his health, ” Mr Barnett said.

Vasse MLA research officer Cathy Murrell said it was business as usual for his Busselton electorate office, which would continue handling of matters for constituents “as before” while Mr Buswell was on leave.