Following a briefing, a special council meeting placed Reynolds on leave pending a law-firm–led review, with monitor Carol Adams overseeing interim governance until June 19 and potential further actions if improvements aren’t demonstrated.

Local Government Minister Beazley condemned the conduct at the City of Perth as unbelievable and unacceptable and called for an end to infighting while noting these are workforce matters for the city.

The complaints were disclosed to councillors at a closed-door briefing led by monitor Tony Brown, part of an assessment that described the council as dysfunctional and placed on notice regarding governance.

The trajectory of the investigation and any further action depend on whether the monitor’s term yields demonstrable improvements, with potential for additional inquiries if not.

Reynolds acknowledged staff dissatisfaction with the reform program from the 2018 inquiry but noted the city has implemented over 200 recommendations between 2020 and 2024 and completed an independent organisational review in 2023/24.

The City of Perth stated Reynolds is on leave and declined comment due to confidential matters, while the Lord Mayor said interim governance changes have begun in response to oversight findings.

Brown stressed that the investigation highlights a need for clearer roles, better behavior, and improved relationships between council members and the administration, with possible additional measures if Adams’ term doesn’t show progress by its end.

WA’s Local Government Inspector is examining more than a dozen complaints against City of Perth chief executive Michelle Reynolds, using evidence collected over roughly six months from internal sources.

Dark disclosure at the closed-door briefing showed over 20 city staff alleging issues against Reynolds amid the ongoing investigation.