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Tearful Troy Buswell admits behaviour 'unacceptable
By Adam Brockman and AAP
April 29, 2008 10:00am
TROUBLED WA Opposition leader Troy Buswell has broken down in tears at a press conference and admitted he sniffed the chair of a female Liberal Party staffer.
With tears in his eyes, Mr Buswell had to compose himself before telling the media in Mandurah this morning that his behaviour had been unacceptable.
Mr Buswell said he had repeatedly refused to deny the allegations because he wanted to protect the woman involved.
But he broke down after he was asked about the effect of the reports on his wife and children.
With tears in his eyes, Mr Buswell said he needed a short break, turned his back and then asked his press secretary to bring him a glass of water.
Mr Buswell said his wife was aware of the allegations before they were exclusively revealed in The Sunday Times at the weekend.
He said it had been a difficult time for him "on a personal level''.
"These are difficult issues for me to deal with and they are very difficult issues for my family to deal with,'' he said.
"It's hard dealing with these matters and having to face up to your responsibilities behaviourally, publicly, and it's harder to do it privately.''
"I acknowledge that my behaviour in late 2005 in relation to this matter was unacceptable,’’ Mr Buswell said.
"The issues of last October caused me to take stock well before they were made public and I've attempted personally to draw a line in the sand.
" I had the support of my colleagues at the leadership change. I have the support of my colleagues today -- we are collectively focused on moving forward.
"In taking stock I believe I have put in stock changes to my behaviour and my character to enable me to genuinely move forward.''
Mr Buswell said his leadership would not be discussed at the next party meeting. He would not be resigning as leader of the Liberal Party.
By Adam Brockman and AAP
April 29, 2008 10:00am
TROUBLED WA Opposition leader Troy Buswell has broken down in tears at a press conference and admitted he sniffed the chair of a female Liberal Party staffer.
With tears in his eyes, Mr Buswell had to compose himself before telling the media in Mandurah this morning that his behaviour had been unacceptable.
Mr Buswell said he had repeatedly refused to deny the allegations because he wanted to protect the woman involved.
But he broke down after he was asked about the effect of the reports on his wife and children.
With tears in his eyes, Mr Buswell said he needed a short break, turned his back and then asked his press secretary to bring him a glass of water.
Mr Buswell said his wife was aware of the allegations before they were exclusively revealed in The Sunday Times at the weekend.
He said it had been a difficult time for him "on a personal level''.
"These are difficult issues for me to deal with and they are very difficult issues for my family to deal with,'' he said.
"It's hard dealing with these matters and having to face up to your responsibilities behaviourally, publicly, and it's harder to do it privately.''
"I acknowledge that my behaviour in late 2005 in relation to this matter was unacceptable,’’ Mr Buswell said.
"The issues of last October caused me to take stock well before they were made public and I've attempted personally to draw a line in the sand.
" I had the support of my colleagues at the leadership change. I have the support of my colleagues today -- we are collectively focused on moving forward.
"In taking stock I believe I have put in stock changes to my behaviour and my character to enable me to genuinely move forward.''
Mr Buswell said his leadership would not be discussed at the next party meeting. He would not be resigning as leader of the Liberal Party.
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