‘Escalating’ safety concerns force Perth council vote
The City of Perth has approved staged funding to address “accelerating” psychosocial risks within the organisation, but not before a pointed question about Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds’ role in the turmoil was shut down.
At the ordinary council meeting on Wednesday afternoon, which ran so long on Tuesday night it had to be reconvened the following day, councillors voted unanimously to approve an amended motion allocating $135,000 in the 2025/26 financial year towards implementing recommendations from an independent psychosocial risk assessment.
The approved staged funding will replace an original proposal seeking $280,000 immediately, with City of Perth chief executive Michelle Reynolds required to report back on progress within six months.
Most of the discussion took place behind closed doors, with the report contents deemed confidential, despite the report being leaked to multiple media outlets.
The psychosocial report was commissioned in November 2025 after Michelle Reynolds received “repeated and escalating concerns” from employees and some elected members about psychosocial safety issues, she said in the council agenda briefing.
The most charged moment at Wednesday’s meeting came when councillor Raj Doshi asked the chief executive whether things had “got better with the Lord Mayor, and has he made any attempts to help with any of the resolutions and assist with the recommendations?”
Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds immediately ruled the question out of order.
“This report is a systemic report. There have been no claims held against anybody. There has been no findings in regards to claims or complaints or findings,” Bruce Reynolds said.
He added that anyone who had experienced conduct warranting a complaint should come forward.
Doshi attempted to clarify that she was asking about whether “the relationship… between the council and the administration” had improved since the report’s release but Reynolds again ruled the question out of order.
Speaking in favour of the motion, Councillor Catherine Lezer said Council had reached a point “where there is no option but to act”.
“The independent psychosocial risk assessment is clear,” she said.
“There are known harm risks within this council. These risks are rated as critical or high and they are accelerating. It is reported of people experiencing actual harm that has required medical intervention.
“The city has already lost senior executives who attributed their departures directly to harmful workplace behaviours.”
Lezer said the situation had deteriorated rapidly over the last nine months.
Closing the meeting, the Bruce Reynolds thanked councillors and staff, and said the council would move “forward together as one council and we are committed to that”.
The Lord Mayor has previously said the psychosocial risk report was welcomed by the City.
“This work contributes to broader understanding across the local government sector, identifying systemic challenges that can arise within complex governance environments and outlining potential approaches to addressing those challenges,” he said in a statement.
“The City of Perth has experienced a heightened level of public attention in recent months, and the report provides a constructive framework to support improvement and stability.
“The recommendations are intended to assist both the administration and Council to strengthen working relationships and clarify expectations.”
Carla Hildebrandt is a journalist with WAtoday. She previously worked on ABC’s Four Corners and as a court reporter at The Daily Telegraph in Sydney. For secure contact: carlahildebrandt@proton.me.Connect via email.From our partners
