UPDATE 23/09/26

INSPECTOR’S INQUIRY INTO CITY OF PERTH COUNCIL COMMENCES - COUNCIL TERMINATES CEO'S EMPLOYMENT 

There have now been significant further developments at the City of Perth which, in my view, reinforce why this petition and the community’s concerns regarding the leadership of the City must not be ignored.

On 21 September 2026, a formal inquiry by Local Government Inspector Tony Brown commenced into the operations and affairs of the City of Perth.

The inquiry follows an approximately six-month monitoring process and will examine matters including governance, decision-making, accountability and the effective functioning of Council.

When announcing the inquiry, the Local Government Inspector publicly stated that there were “fractured working relationships and ongoing governance issues” at the City of Perth.

The inquiry is expected to run for approximately 12 weeks.

Then, at a Special Council Meeting held on the evening of 22 September 2026, Council resolved to terminate the employment of CEO Michelle Reynolds, effective immediately.

This decision was formally announced by Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds on 23 September 2026.

The timing of these events raises serious questions for ratepayers.

CEO Michelle Reynolds had already been absent from her position since 19 May 2026.

Despite the CEO not being at the helm of the organisation for approximately four months, the Local Government Inspector subsequently determined recently that there remained fractured working relationships and ongoing governance issues significant enough to warrant a formal inquiry into the City.

For petition supporters, this raises an important question:

If the governance problems and dysfunction continued while the CEO was absent, how can the CEO reasonably be portrayed as the source of the broader dysfunction occurring within the Council?

The community should also note that Minister for Local Government Hannah Beazley has stated that the Local Government Inspector will review the process which led to the termination of Ms Reynolds’ employment as part of his inquiry into the City.

This is occurring after months of monitoring, intervention and significant public concern regarding the governance and functioning of Western Australia’s capital city council.

In my view, enough is enough.

This petition represents a vote of no confidence in the leadership of Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds and Deputy Lord Mayor David Goncalves.

It reflects the concerns of residents and ratepayers who believe confidence in the current leadership has been seriously eroded and who are seeking decisive intervention from the State Government.

The issue is now much bigger than the employment of one CEO.

The fundamental question is whether the City of Perth is being governed with the stability, accountability, transparency and professionalism expected of the capital city of Western Australia.

The fact that governance concerns have continued during the CEO’s prolonged absence is particularly significant.

The community should not be expected to simply wait through another cycle of dysfunction, investigations, legal costs and governance intervention while confidence in the City continues to deteriorate.

Something must change.

I am therefore continuing to call on Minister for Local Government Hannah Beazley to consider every power available to her following the Inspector’s inquiry and to take decisive action where the evidence and findings support it.

I am also calling for complete transparency regarding:

the circumstances and process surrounding the termination of CEO Michelle Reynolds;
the governance issues identified through the monitoring process;
the 12 remedial actions directed by the Local Government Inspector;
the findings of the current Inspector’s Inquiry; and
the total financial cost to ratepayers arising from the continuing governance problems at the City of Perth.
This petition will remain open.

If you have lost confidence in the leadership of the City of Perth and believe Western Australia’s capital city deserves stable, accountable and transparent governance, you may add your name to the petition and make your views known.

Ratepayers deserve answers.
Ratepayers deserve accountability.
And the City of Perth deserves stability.

 

UPDATE 30/06/26 – Proposed Budget of Approximately $9,400 for a 2 Delegate Denpasar Delegation - Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 30 June 2026, I asked a series of public questions regarding the proposed domestic and international travel outlined in the Council agenda, including the proposed budget of approximately $9,400 for a Denpasar delegation.

In its official verbal response, which may be viewed on the City of Perth's official YouTube channel, the City advised that the proposed budget of approximately $9,400 was based on 2 delegates and included:

• Flexible business-class return airfares;
• Two to three nights' accommodation;
• Travel insurance;
• Travel visas;
• Ground transportation; and
• Meal allowances.

The City further advised that the purpose of the proposed travel would be to undertake due diligence and further explore a business case examining the expected social and economic benefits before committing to a city-to-city partnership.

The City also advised that, if the travel proceeded, the outcomes would be reported to Council in accordance with Council Policy 4.5 – National and International Engagement, with a summary report from the delegates outlining key learnings and opportunities for the City to be provided to the Executive Leadership Team and elected members within six weeks of the delegation's return.

For too long, residents and ratepayers of the City of Perth have expressed concern regarding ongoing governance issues, division, a lack of transparency, the suppression of public questions and deputations, and continuing uncertainty surrounding governance and expenditure decisions under the current leadership.

Since taking office, many residents believe the focus of some elected officials has shifted towards ongoing governance disputes and internal Council matters rather than the broader interests of the community.  The voices of residents and ratepayers have too often been dismissed, ignored or shut down entirely.

As active members of the Perth community, many of us are deeply concerned by the deterioration in governance standards within the City of Perth. Despite the appointment of governance inspectors and monitors intended to improve behaviour and restore stability, the situation has continued to escalate, leaving ratepayers burdened with mounting costs associated with investigations, intervention processes and ongoing governance issues.

Based on the ongoing governance intervention, appointment of a Local Government Monitor and Inspector, repeated governance disputes and the significant costs incurred to date, many residents and ratepayers believe the Council is not currently functioning to the standard expected of Western Australia's capital city.

The community is frustrated that significant public funds continue to be spent on governance intervention, investigations and associated processes rather than improving services, infrastructure and outcomes for City of Perth residents and businesses.

This is now the second major community push for action after concerned ratepayers attempted to raise a Motion of No Confidence in the Lord Mayor after losing confidence in the City's leadership.  Ratepayers had the motion ruled inadmissible at their own Electors' Meeting, with many in the community feeling their concerns had once again been prevented from being heard.  Since that time, public confidence in the leadership of Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds and Deputy Lord Mayor David Goncalves has continued to decline.

Ratepayers are increasingly asking:

How can some elected members continue to operate in circumstances where many ratepayers perceive a lack of accountability, transparency and responsiveness to community concerns, whilst ratepayers continue to bear the financial and reputational consequences?

The simple reality is this:

The City of Perth belongs to its residents and ratepayers — not to ongoing governance disputes or factional infighting.

Our elected representatives are entrusted to govern professionally, respectfully and in the best interests of the entire community.  Instead, the ongoing instability has damaged confidence in the leadership, reputation and future direction of Perth.

Community concern further intensified following the events surrounding the Special Council Meeting of 19 May 2026, convened for the purpose of considering "a Confidential Report from the Office of the Local Government Inspector."

According to the published Council minutes, the meeting commenced at 7.49 pm and concluded at 8.36 pm.  On the following day, both The West Australian and the ABC reported that City of Perth CEO Michelle Reynolds had been suspended following that Special Council Meeting.

The ABC also obtained a statement from CEO, Ms Reynolds, who stated, "I haven't been advised of specifics, of any timeframe, of any process around this suspension. The Lord Mayor hasn't spoken to me. Nothing has been put to me."

The Lord Mayor has publicly maintained that CEO, Ms Reynolds is on leave.

At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 26 May 2026, ratepayers attempted to ask public questions regarding the CEO's absence together with the financial and legal implications arising from the reported suspension.  Those questions were ruled out of order by the Lord Mayor and were not permitted to be asked.

Many ratepayers remain without definitive answers regarding the financial implications of these events or whether, and when, the CEO is expected to return to office.

Many ratepayers believe the CEO has acted in the best interests of governance, accountability and the responsible management of public funds on behalf of the Perth community.

It is concerning that, after approximately five years of service, the CEO was publicly reported as having been suspended.  Significant governance issues subsequently arose between Council and the administration following the swearing in of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor in October 2025.  Within approximately three months, a Local Government Monitor and Local Government Inspector had been appointed to oversee the Council, with ratepayers ultimately bearing the cost of the ongoing governance intervention.

Minister Hannah Beazley, the community is calling for decisive action.

We urge Minister Hannah Beazley to immediately:

• Remove the current Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor from office.
• Reinstate CEO Michelle Reynolds.
• Restore integrity, professionalism, transparency and stability to the governance of the City of Perth.
• Ratepayers do not want another costly public inquiry like the last one, which cost more than $7.8 million. The community wants practical action that restores accountability and allows the City to move forward with a renewed focus on serving its residents, businesses and visitors.

The City of Perth is not only the capital city for its residents—it represents all Western Australians.  What happens within the City affects the reputation and confidence of our entire State.

If you believe Perth deserves responsible leadership, accountability and a stronger future, please sign this petition and share it across your social media platforms.

Every signature sends a message that the community will no longer accept ongoing governance issues ahead of the people of Perth.

Please note: No donation is required. Simply sign the petition and share it with others.