Buswell's crash claim form questioned
The West Australian opposition is demanding to know why an insurance claim form for Troy Buswell's crashed ministerial car was submitted incomplete by a government bureaucrat.
Mr Buswell quit cabinet following revelations he had a mental breakdown after crashing into parked cars, a pole and the front gate of his Subiaco home while returning from a wedding in the early hours of February 23.
He was fined $3100 and disqualified from driving for one year after he admitted to 11 traffic offences, but did not face drink-driving charges because he was not breathalysed on the night.
After obtaining documents under freedom of information, opposition treasury spokesman Ben Wyatt said the claim form to government insurer RiskCover was not submitted or signed by Mr Buswell, and was instead stamped by the director of state administration Kathryn Andrews.
Mr Wyatt said the former treasurer should have signed the form himself as it required a driver's declaration and he was back at work in his Vasse electorate at the time.
"I think they are again trying to get Mr Buswell's fingerprints away from that evening," he told reporters.
But a Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) spokeswoman said insurance claims must be submitted and signed by the vehicle owner - the department.
Mr Wyatt also asked why large sections of the form were left incomplete, including whether the driver was tested for drugs or alcohol.
Where the applicant was asked to describe the accident, the response was simply: "No details are available. The incident has been investigated by WAPOL (WA Police)".
If any other motorist submitted such a claim form to their insurer, it would have been rejected outright, Mr Wyatt said.
The spokeswoman, however, said it was not uncommon for insurance claims to be lodged "in anticipation of the provision of further information".
About a fortnight later, RiskCover asked for further information.
The car has been repaired at a cost of $14,742.49, but RiskCover is still assessing the claim.
