Western Australia’s first Local Government Inspector, Tony Brown, has been granted sweeping new powers to intervene in any of the state’s 139 councils, with the City of Perth emerging as an immediate priority following recent turmoil.
Mr Brown, a veteran with over 40 years of experience across seven local governments and the Western Australian Local Government Association, assumed the role in October. From January 2025, he gained broad authority to act proactively under reforms passed in late 2024.
His mandate focuses on early intervention to prevent the kind of chaos that led to the sacking of the Nedlands and Port Hedland councils in 2024 and the near-suspension of Coolgardie due to severe financial issues.
Expanded Powers for Immediate Action
Unlike the Local Government Minister, who previously had to wait for crises to escalate, Mr Brown can step in at the first sign of trouble. His powers include:
- Recommending suspension or dismissal of councils or individual members to the Minister
- Investigating complaints about council members, committee members, and election candidates
- Issuing fines of up to $1,000 for certain breaches
- Inquiring into and intervening in any local government
- Addressing non-compliance with the Local Government Act 1995
- Deploying monitors to assist with conduct, compliance, and conflict resolution
When complaints arise, an appointed adjudicator can order mediation, make findings, or impose sanctions such as public censure, apologies, counselling, training, withholding of fees and allowances (up to three months), or suspension (up to three months).
A new “three strikes” rule also takes effect: council members suspended three times will face disqualification for 10 years.
Mr Brown emphasised his goal: “I really want to improve governance and accountability across the sector… Whether it’s financial, relationships, or meeting procedures — we can get in early to help.”
City of Perth in the Spotlight
Mr Brown confirmed the City of Perth would be among the first to receive scrutiny after the council referred itself in December following weeks of internal strife.
In November 2024, Mayor Bruce Reynolds sparked backlash by giving councillors just six minutes’ notice of his plan to commission a $125,000 independent workplace culture review. The proposal was abandoned amid public outcry and the resignation of acting chief executive Peta Mabbs.
Mr Brown said he would “send someone in” to assess the situation: “We need to look at all of the issues… and what is the best way to assist.”
He stressed that all 139 councils remain under watch, but the Perth case demands prompt attention.
Optimism Amid Challenges
Despite a heavy workload, Mr Brown remains positive about local government’s potential: “Local governments do great things… to be able to work with them so they can provide good value for residents and ratepayers — that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley welcomed the “extra level of oversight” and predicted a busy time ahead for Mr Brown, noting ongoing scrutiny of several councils.
Opposition spokesperson Kirrilee Warr supported the role’s aim to bring consistency to handling dysfunction, though she expressed concern about the delay in establishing the office, which was first proposed four years ago.
Ms Beazley also flagged upcoming consultations on reforms to mandatory voting and four-year full-spill elections to address low voter turnout, with changes hoped for within the next one to two years.
The Inspector can also refer matters to bodies such as the Corruption and Crime Commission, adding further accountability to the sector.
