The City of Perth is experiencing chaos following the departure of its acting executive over a disagreement over a workplace culture review. Mayor Bruce Reynolds intends to use $125,000 of ratepayer money to finance a study on the work culture. He gave councillors a six-minute notice last week about his motion.
Peta Mabbs, the Acting CEO, resigned in the middle of the unrest. Before her resignation, she released a report on the council’s website stating the review would be illegal.
Statements Made by the Acting CEO
Mabbs stated that commissioning such a review would be an expenditure of ratepayer funds. She mentioned that the decision violates state and local rules and guidelines. It is a decision and therefore cannot be carried out. Mabbs noted that no concerns about workplace culture were identified during a review of the CEO’s performance in August. Similarly, nothing was highlighted when setting her priorities for the year.
Mabbs disclosed that grievances had indeed been lodged concerning councillors, rather than employees. Issues have been brought to the CEO’s attention about the health and security of some elected officials. Several employees working closely alongside them also expressed worries. In 2025, there were 10 grievances from staff and elected officials about the conduct of elected officials. This indicates the issue might lie with councillors, not council personnel.
How This Began
During the council meeting on November 18, a motion to create a workplace culture committee was approved. This committee would examine issues related to the council’s administration. The independent review was suggested to be conducted by the law firm Mills Oakley. The expense would be $125,000 plus GST. The proposal was not open to any questions or discussion during the meeting.
That triggered concern among the councillors who opposed it. Councillor Catherine Lezer was among them. She indicated her plan to attempt to overturn that resolution at the council meeting in December. However, the initial decision was confirmed at a minute special session on Tuesday. The session took place in private. It was convened by the lord mayor. The three councillors, against the workplace review, were absent.
Lord Mayor Stands by His Proposal
The day following that gathering, Reynolds was openly promoting the review as an essential health inspection of the organisation. He rejected claims that the procedure was aimed at removing the existing management. Reynolds stated to reporters at a Wednesday media briefing that a workplace committee is crucial for any organisation, one as significant as the City of Perth. He emphasised that this is not a purge. It is an initiative that will benefit the city constructively.
However, Mabbs stated on Thursday that she had not received any details from the lord mayor or any other councillor indicating the necessity for an extensive examination of workplace culture. Hours earlier, the council had officially announced her resignation.
Mystery Over Why CEO Quit
On Wednesday afternoon, the council confirmed that Mabbs had stepped down. No explanation was provided for her departure. Mabbs was serving as the CEO for Michelle Reynolds, who commenced pre-approved personal leave on November 14. In addition to her role as acting CEO at the City of Perth, Mabbs holds the position of director of governance and strategy. She also worked for six years at the Corruption and Crime Commission, spending one year as CEO.
Mabbss’ report regarding the City of Perth relied on guidance from lawyer Neil Douglas of the law firm McLeods. Douglas has formerly conducted investigations into government councils such as the City of Cockburn. Additionally, he served as an acting commissioner of the CCC.
Minister Intervenes
On Thursday night, Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley expressed worry about the matter. She forwarded it to the department for clarification and advice on what had occurred and the steps moving forward. Beazley mentioned that she is consistently troubled when incidents like this arise within any government. She believes she has demonstrated that when equipped with the tools to act decisively, she does so. The matter is anticipated to be addressed during a council briefing on Tuesday.
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