Local Government Inspector Tony Brown put the City of Perth council on notice Tuesday night over dysfunctional conduct [1].
The action signals a severe breakdown in governance within the state's capital, suggesting that internal instability is now hindering the council's ability to function.
Brown issued the notice on May 20, 2026 [1], following a closed-door meeting at the council chambers in Western Australia [1]. The inspector cited a pattern of dysfunctional behavior among elected members, specifically noting internal infighting and a lack of maturity [1], [3].
The intervention comes amid broader criticism of the local government's operational state. The Western Australian Minister for Local Government described the situation as extreme, saying, "The City of Perth is diabolical" [3].
This formal warning serves as a precursor to potential state intervention if the council fails to rectify its internal culture. The inspector's focus on the behavior of elected members indicates that the issues are rooted in interpersonal conflict rather than purely administrative failures [1].
While the council has not yet detailed a plan for remediation, the public nature of the warning puts pressure on members to resolve disputes. The move by Brown follows a series of clashes that have reportedly paralyzed decision-making within the chambers [1], [3].
“The City of Perth is diabolical.”
The formal notice from a Local Government Inspector is a critical escalation that typically precedes more drastic measures, such as the appointment of a commissioner or the dismissal of the council. By labeling the conduct as 'diabolical' and 'dysfunctional,' the state government is signaling that the City of Perth's leadership has lost the confidence of the regulatory body, potentially triggering wider reforms for councils across Western Australia.
