John Bowler (politician)

Infobox MLA | name =John Bowler


imagesize = 150px
nationality =Australian
order =
term_start =10 February 2001
term_end =
deputy =
predecessor =Julian Grill
successor =
birth_date =22 September 1949
birth_place =Kalgoorlie, Western Australia Kalgoorlie
constituency =Murchison-Eyre
party =Independent
spouse =
profession =Journalist
education =
religion =


footnotes =|

John James Mansell Bowler (born 22 September 1949 in Kalgoorlie) is a Western Australian politician who has represented the electoral district of Murchison-Eyre since 2001.

Bowler, then a member of the Australian Labor Party, was appointed as Minister for Local Government and Regional Development, Land Information, Goldfields-Esperance and Great Southern following the re-election of the Labor Government at the 2005 election and added the Sport and Recreation portfolio in November 2005.

In February 2006, following the election of Alan Carpenter as Premier, he was promoted to the portfolios of Resources and Assisting the Minister for State Development; Employment Protection, Goldfields-Esperance and Great Southern.

In December 2006 his portfolios were again reallocated, and he became Minister for Local Government; Employment Protection; Racing and Gaming; Goldfields-Esperance and Great Southern.

Only weeks later, however, Bowler became embroiled in a growing scandal when it emerged that he had leaked confidential Cabinet information to disgraced lobbyists and former politicians Julian Grill and Brian Burke. He was subsequently sacked from Cabinet and expelled from the Labor Party. Despite calls from Premier Alan Carpenter for his resignation , Bowler remained in Parliament as an independent and won the seat of Kalgoorlie as an independent at the 2008 election. Bowler has indicated that he will support the minority Liberal Party government on issues not affecting his electorate. [ [http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=97811 Ex-Labor man Bowler will vote with Liberals] Retrieved 15 September 2008.]

External links

* [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200702/s1858666.htm WA Minister sacked over corruption inquiry evidence]

References