[3] 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.
[4] 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.
[5] Only weeks later, however, Bowler became embroiled in a growing scandal when the Corruption & Crime Commission (CCC) alleged that he had leaked confidential Cabinet information relating to Fortescue Metals Group to disgraced lobbyists and former politicians Julian Grill and Brian Burke.
The CCC concluded that the information Bowler released could not in fact be considered confidential and that his actions in this instance did not amount to misconduct.
The report contained an opinion of serious misconduct against Bowler for agreeing to delay terminating an application over BHP's land by Precious Metals Australia, at the request of Brian Burke and Julian Grill.