Complaints against chief executive Michelle Reynolds being probed by local government inspector
Western Australia’s local government watchdog is investigating more than a dozen complaints about the City of Perth’s chief executive, which were revealed at a closed-door meeting on Tuesday night where the “dysfunctional” council was denounced.
A source with knowledge of the investigation told this imprint that more than 20 people from the city have filed complaints against CEO Michelle Reynolds.
These complaints formed part of the evidence collected by a monitor appointed by Local Government Inspector Tony Brown during an investigation that lasted almost six months.
In all, more than a dozen complaints against Reynolds are being investigated and were disclosed to council members Tuesday night by Brown as part of a broader discussion of the city as an organization.
Reynolds told this imprint that while he couldn’t talk in detail about the complaints, he wasn’t surprised some people in the city were unhappy.
“Generally speaking, it’s no surprise that some people have been less than happy with the city’s reform program over the last six years [following a 2018 inquiry] affected their daily routines. “I understand that these issues may be related to that period,” he said.
“The City of Perth investigation was clear: the culture needed to change. This may be challenging for some people.”
Reynolds said the city’s focus is on doing the best it can for the community.
“My view is that we now have a high-performing, customer-focused team that does great work for our community. That’s our focus,” he said.
Reynolds said the city implemented more than 200 recommendations between 2020 and 2024 as a result of the investigation ordered after the council was suspended in 2018.
The city also carried out an independent organizational review in 2023/24.
“This has been a big journey, but we are a better organization for challenging ourselves to offer more to our community,” Reynolds said.
On Wednesday, a City of Perth spokesman said Reynolds was on leave following Tuesday’s meeting.
Following Brown’s briefing, it is understood a special council meeting was called by Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds and councilors voted to put the chief executive on leave pending a review, to be carried out by a law firm.
Brown told ABC Perth on Wednesday that he made clear during the meeting that he expected changes in how those on the council understood their roles and responsibilities, how they acted and “their relationship with management and each other, particularly affecting decision-making.”
Brown foreshadowed “other actions” that could include another investigation if no change is shown by the time the appointed watchdog – former Kwinana mayor Carol Adams – completes her term on June 19.
On Wednesday afternoon, Local Government Minister Beazley told reporters that the behavior in the City of Perth was “simply incredible and unacceptable”.
Beazley said that to his knowledge, Michelle Reynolds was on leave and that “any matter involving the City of Perth is a city workforce matter.”
“The city needs to stop infighting and work together,” he said.
“I will not tolerate dysfunction of any local government.
“It’s no secret that the local government sector had a shocking year last year, and unfortunately 2026 is shaping up to be no better.”
A City of Perth spokesperson said they were unable to comment as the matters were ongoing and related to confidential personnel and management matters.
On Wednesday, Mayor Bruce Reynolds, no relation to Michelle Reynolds, said he took the local government inspector’s comments seriously.
“Following a confidential briefing by the Local Government Inspector and appointed monitor, the council considered a number of urgent governance and organizational issues and implemented interim arrangements to ensure continuity of operations while appropriate processes were in place,” he said.
“The council recognizes the importance of responding appropriately, professionally and constructively to issues raised through independent oversight processes.”
Local Government Inspector Tony Brown has been approached for further comment.
Carla Hildebrandt is a journalist at WAtoday. She previously worked as a courts reporter for the ABC’s Four Corners and for The Daily Telegraph in Sydney. For secure communication: carlahildebrandt@proton.me.Connect via email.
