BREAKING: The City of Perth is engulfed in a significant leadership crisis as acting Chief Executive Officer Peta Mabbs has accused Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds of implementing an unlawful motion just before her resignation. This urgent development raises serious questions about governance within the city.
On November 18, during a council meeting, Reynolds swiftly introduced a motion to engage the law firm Mills Oakley for a workplace culture review, earmarking a budget of up to $125,000. However, Mabbs, stepping in for CEO Michelle Reynolds who is currently on leave, contends that this decision is illegal and cannot be executed.
In a briefing prepared for a council agenda session on December 2, Mabbs articulated that councillors were given a mere six minutes to assess the motion prior to the vote. No rationale was provided for the urgency, and councillors were not permitted to ask questions, effectively denying them the opportunity to make an informed decision.
“The motion breaches the Local Government Act and disregards the CEO’s role as principal adviser to the council,”
Mabbs stated in her brief, highlighting the procedural irregularities surrounding the motion’s approval.
Following the controversial vote on November 18, Councillor Catherine Lezer expressed intentions to propose a revocation motion at the next council gathering. On November 22, she circulated a draft to fellow councillors. However, on the same day, Reynolds called for a special council meeting for November 25 to discuss the revocation, despite it not being formally submitted.
Mabbs noted, “The Lord Mayor informed the Administration that a special council meeting does not require a pre-existing item, prompting the convening of the meeting.” This sudden scheduling has left Lezer and two other councillors who opposed the original motion unable to attend due to the short notice, raising further concerns about transparency and fair governance.
As this situation develops, stakeholders and citizens alike are closely watching the City of Perth’s next moves. The implications of this internal conflict could affect not only the council’s operations but also its public trust.
Stay tuned for updates as further details emerge from this unfolding story.
