Arabic version: مجلس بيرث يواجه تحقيقاً جديداً لمدة ثلاثة أشهر

According to ABC News, Local Government Inspector Tony Brown has launched a three-month inquiry into the City of Perth after a report from monitor Carol Adams, who spent nearly five months observing the council. The inquiry follows the inspector putting the council on notice and ordering improvements.

The probe could allow Mr Brown to recommend stronger action to Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley, including the suspension or dismissal of individual councillors or the entire council. ABC News reported that the inquiry enables earlier intervention than is currently available to the minister. Ms Beazley said she was “incredibly frustrated” by what she had seen at the City of Perth.

The council has previously faced major governance problems. In 2018, it was suspended and then subject to a $7.2 million inquiry over two years. That inquiry found a culture dominated by self-interest, complacency, and a lack of accountability and transparency. More recently, a leaked report identified “concerning parallels” with the circumstances surrounding the 2018 collapse and said the relationship between council and management was in “crisis”.

Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds welcomed the latest inquiry, saying it offered an opportunity for matters to be independently examined. Mr Brown has indicated he is willing to work with the City of Perth and will send a monitor. However, WALGA president Mark Irwin said there was “still no evidence” of dysfunction and argued that judging the council was a matter for the community. The inspector’s findings over the next three months will determine whether further action is recommended.