The City of Perth is facing fresh turmoil after its acting chief executive dramatically resigned, labelling the council's decision to commission a workplace culture review as both unlawful and fundamentally flawed.
Sudden Departure Rocks Council
In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through local government circles, acting CEO Michael Cullen tendered his immediate resignation on Tuesday, just hours after the council voted to proceed with the controversial review.
The council meeting, held on Monday night, saw elected members approve the engagement of Hammond Legal to conduct the workplace culture assessment. However, Cullen vehemently opposed the decision, arguing it breached established procedures and represented poor governance.
Legal and Procedural Concerns Raised
In his resignation letter obtained by media outlets, Cullen didn't mince words about his objections. The acting CEO declared the council's decision 'unlawful' and cited multiple procedural failures that rendered the process invalid.
Cullen highlighted that the council had failed to follow its own procurement policy when selecting Hammond Legal for the review. He also noted the absence of a proper briefing for council members about the scope and methodology of the proposed assessment.
'The decision made by council is unlawful and the process to arrive at that decision is flawed,' Cullen stated in his strongly-worded resignation.
Broader Implications for Council Operations
The sudden departure marks another chapter in the City of Perth's ongoing governance challenges. The workplace culture review was intended to address long-standing concerns about the working environment within the council administration.
However, Cullen's resignation raises serious questions about the council's ability to conduct such reviews in a manner that complies with its own governance frameworks. The acting CEO's protest resignation underscores deep divisions between the elected council and the administrative leadership.
This development comes at a critical time for the City of Perth, which has been working to rebuild stability and public trust following previous governance issues. The council must now navigate finding new leadership while simultaneously addressing the workplace culture concerns that prompted the controversial review.
The resignation leaves the council without permanent leadership at a time when transparent governance and stable administration are most needed. Ratepayers and staff alike will be watching closely to see how the council responds to this latest challenge to its decision-making processes.
