Politics · Australia · 12 hrs ago
City of Perth appoints Garry Hunt as interim CEO
The City of Perth has appointed former chief executive Garry Hunt to lead the local government.
Hunt’s 12-month contract starts on October 19, while the council searches for a permanent replacement for Michelle Reynolds.
Hunt previously led the City from 1994 to 2002 and has more than 30 years’ experience as a local government CEO.
Reynolds was suspended in May and sacked on September 22 after an investigation into allegations she disputes; she says she plans to challenge the decision.
The appointment is intended to provide temporary leadership during the transition.
The City is also facing a new inquiry into governance problems and strained working relationships.
The inquiry is expected to take about three months, and its report will be public and may recommend actions for the council.
The City of Perth council endorsed Garry Hunt for a 12-month appointment as chief executive while it searches for a permanent replacement.
Hunt is a former chief executive of the City of Perth and will start on October 19.
He previously led the organisation from 1994 to 2002 and has more than 30 years of experience as a local government CEO.
He will replace acting chief executive Maria Cooke, who took on the role after Michelle Reynolds was suspended in May.
Reynolds was sacked on September 22 after an investigation and says she intends to challenge the decision.
- Who
- Garry Hunt was appointed temporary chief executive by the City of Perth council.
- What
- The council endorsed a 12-month appointment while it searches for a permanent replacement.
- When
- The appointment was endorsed at a special meeting on Tuesday night. Hunt will start on October 19.
- Where
- City of Perth, Western Australia.
- Why
- To provide leadership and stability while the council searches for a permanent chief executive.
City of Perth council
Michelle Reynolds
Decision
City of Perth council
The council sacked Reynolds on September 22 after an investigation into claims against her.
Michelle Reynolds
Reynolds says she intends to challenge her sacking.
Allegations
City of Perth council
The council’s investigation concerned claims against Reynolds.
Michelle Reynolds
Reynolds said the allegations were individually trivial and that she disagreed they collectively amounted to serious misconduct.
Michelle Reynolds was suspended by the council, and Maria Cooke stepped into the acting chief executive role.
Reynolds was sacked after an investigation into claims against her.
At a special meeting, the council endorsed Hunt’s 12-month appointment.
Hunt is due to start as chief executive.
- Appointment term
- 12 months
- Incoming chief executive
- Garry Hunt
- Start date
- October 19
- Previous City of Perth tenure
- 1994 to 2002
- Experience
- More than 30 years as a local government CEO
- Former chief executives led
- Perth, Joondalup and Melville
2 sources
What people are saying
pleased to appoint an experienced and capable leader
I look forward to working with Council and staff, drawing on my experience to provide steady leadership and support the important work of the City during this transition period
The allegations made against me are individually trivial in nature, however are alleged to collectively amount to serious misconduct. I disagree.
We could recommend to the minister for local government that the council be dismissed, or certain individuals be dismissed