Arabic version: مجلس مدينة بيرث يواجه تحقيقاً جديداً في الحوكمة

According to ABC News, Western Australia’s Local Government Inspector has launched an inquiry into the City of Perth, citing fractured working relationships and ongoing governance issues.

Inspector Tony Brown said the investigation was expected to take about three months and cost about $120,000. His office has received 25 complaints involving elected members since the start of the year. Brown said the process would be shorter than an earlier two-year inquiry that cost $7.2 million.

The inquiry follows a January report that found the relationship between the council and management was in “crisis”. Brown had appointed former Kwinana mayor Carol Adams as a monitor and provided the city with her findings and 12 actions focused on improved cooperation and governance processes.

Under a new scrutiny regime, the inquiry’s final report may recommend suspension or dismissal of the council or individual members, although any decision would rest with the local government minister. Brown said the City of Perth should be a governance leader for Western Australia.

Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds welcomed the independent examination, saying the council had the institutional capacity to perform effectively and could identify pathways for improvement. The city has faced past turmoil: its entire council was stood down in 2018 after years of scandal and infighting.