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http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21290496-2,00.html



Watchdog 'catches out' minister

By Adam Gartrell

February 26, 2007 08:09pm
Article from: AAP

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WEST Australian Local Government Minister John Bowler is facing almost certain dismissal after he was caught on tape discussing details of a Cabinet meeting with lobbyist Julian Grill.

The Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) today revealed it installed secret listening devices in Mr Grill's home, and caught the pair's conversation, which occurred on June 19 last year, on tape.

"So how'd Cabinet go today," Mr Grill could be heard asking, before Mr Bowler detailed what had transpired.

The CCC has been examining whether improper influence from lobbyists, namely disgraced former WA premier Brian Burke and Mr Grill – a former Labor minister – has led to misconduct by public officials. :

Mr Bowler, who has been friends with Mr Grill for 30 years, earlier admitted he met with Mr Grill and Mr Burke regularly, often at Mr Grill's house. He said they sometimes discussed the interests of their clients, some of whom were affected by decisions made by Mr Bowler as resources minister, but he said his objectivity was not swayed by his friendships.

Mr Bowler admitted he may have told the pair about "informal" discussions he had with Cabinet colleagues, but initially he denied he told them about the details of actual Cabinet meetings.

However, after playing the conversation recorded in Mr Grill's home, counsel assisting the CCC Stephen Hall told Mr Bowler to "reflect" overnight on the fact that the CCC knew what had occurred at a series of meetings in the house.

Mr Bowler will face further questioning tomorrow.

He said as he left the CCC today he did not intend to resign over the revelations.

A spokesman for WA Premier Alan Carpenter said today it would be inappropriate for the Premier to comment while Mr Bowler was still giving evidence.

Mr Carpenter in December demoted Mr Bowler to more junior portfolios because of what he called "smear and innuendo" surrounding his links with Mr Grill and Mr Burke.

Mr Carpenter yesterday sacked Environment Minister Tony McRae, after the CCC accused him last week of using his position as a minister to try to gain a financial benefit from Mr Grill.

The Premier dismissed his small business minister, Norm Marlborough, last November, after the CCC revealed the extent of his links to Mr Burke.

Mr Bowler holds the seat formerly occupied by Mr Grill.

Mr Bowler said Mr Grill had helped him get preselected and was his campaign manager for the 2001 and 2005 elections.

Before dropping its bombshell, the CCC played secretly recorded phone conversations in which Mr Burke described Mr Bowler as Mr Grill's "protege".

The CCC heard another conversation from February last year in which Mr Burke said to Mr Grill: "You should speak to your friend John and find out what happened in Cabinet today."

The CCC heard Mr Bowler and Mr Grill had "arrangements" in place for their communications, including a ban on Mr Grill emailing Mr Bowler.

Mr Bowler said that was because he did not want to the media or opposition to uncover their dealings through Freedom of Information legislation, because he was worried about perceptions of impropriety.

The CCC also revealed a handwritten message Mr Bowler sent to Mr Burke on February 8, which read: "Brian, your advice, friendship and guidance is something I will treasure all my life."

The CCC today also questioned WA Agriculture Minister Kim Chance.

In a secretly recorded phone call to Mr Marlborough, Mr Burke had said he could get "anything I want" from Mr Chance.

Mr Burke later backed down from that claim, and Mr Chance today said it was "clearly not true".

The CCC said there was no evidence that Mr Chance had acted improperly.