West Australian Premier Colin Barnett admits that not making fallen former treasurer Troy Buswell foot the bill for his crashed ministerial car is damaging the state government.
But whether Mr Buswell would have to pay the $14,700 for his car as well as the estimated $12,000 for several other damaged cars was a matter for the insurer, Mr Barnett said.
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.
Mr Barnett said he didn't think it was appropriate for him to get involved in the case.
"I recognise it's causing me political damage but that doesn't mean I will do the wrong thing and I will deny somebody equality before the law," the premier told ABC radio on Thursday.
"I don't excuse at all anything that happened on that night but I think anyone, whether they be a member of parliament or not, is entitled to an equal chance before the law."
Mr Barnett said he did not believe his government was unpopular and it was common to get a bad run in politics.
While the state government had delivered 42 of its 58 election commitments, there had been too much focus on the promises it hadn't kept, he said.
The Liberals may have promised too much, Mr Barnett conceded.
"I think we had a difficult year after the election, maybe we came back to parliament too early," he said.
"We had new ministers and it seemed anything that could go wrong, did go wrong.
"I think the state is going pretty well at the moment. I think most people in WA ... know this is a great place to live and they're optimistic about the future."
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