Criticisms of a former CEO at the City of Joondalup have been balanced by praise for other officers of the Council, in the Joondalup Inquiry report.

Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) applauded the Inquiry for acknowledging the professionalism of the City of Joondalup officers and the difficult circumstances under which they operated.

Local government’s peak professional organisation draws attention in particular to a comment in the report about a particular officer: “[officer]…is a highly qualified and astute servant of the City who was placed in a role in relation to the CEO which required him to confront the CEO and yet continue to perform his duties under his direct supervision”. 

“It was very pleasing to see the Inquiry single out a number of officers at the City of Joondalup for their exemplary performance,” said LGMA (WA) President Neil Hartley.

“The Inquiry recognised that officers at Joondalup were in a very difficult position as the events leading to the Inquiry unfolded,” Mr Hartley said.

“These local government officers did a good job. The Inquiry noted that they were committed to their roles and performed them competently, in good faith and to the best of their ability – and were not involved in any impropriety.

“This lends weight to the LGMA’s plea that the problems that occurred at Joondalup should not tar the whole local government industry.

“Let’s get this thing in perspective. Local government is a $2 billion industry in Western Australia, employing 13,500 people. It’s a big business that runs very effectively. There are occasional problems which the State Government is empowered and resourced to intervene in.

“Despite the inquiry’s findings against the CEO at Joondalup, the vast majority of local government CEOs (144 in Western Australia) are properly appointed, well qualified and ethical. The LGMA is working strongly to support and encourage an ethical, professional and skilled workforce in local government. We support any process that helps to weed out those who don’t live up to these standards.

“The thousands upon thousands of things that local government does well are rarely – if ever – acknowledged."

“We want to make sure that a few bad eggs don’t ruin the reputation of the whole industry.”

Issued by Local Government Managers Australia (WA)
Local government’s peak professional organisation

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LGMAWA Office: (08) 9218 8141