Western Australia's 139 local councils have entered a new era of scrutiny, with the state's inaugural Local Government Inspector now wielding his full suite of powers to enforce accountability and integrity.
A New Watchdog with Real Teeth
From 1 January 2026, Inaugural Local Government Inspector Tony Brown officially commenced his role, backed by the most significant reforms to the sector in over 25 years. His office has the authority to oversee the conduct and compliance of both elected councillors and council staff across the state.
The creation of the Inspector role is a direct response to years of dysfunction and poor governance witnessed in some councils. Supported by a team of investigators, compliance specialists, and adjudicators, the Inspector can intervene early when issues emerge, probe alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct, and address complaints of non-compliance.
Substantial Penalties and New Rules
The powers granted to the Inspector are substantial and designed to deter misconduct. They include:
- The authority to issue on-the-spot infringements of up to $1000.
- The ability to appoint monitors to troubled councils.
- The power to recommend the suspension or dismissal of individual councillors or even entire councils to the Local Government Minister.
Penalties for serious misconduct have been significantly increased, with some offences now carrying maximum fines of $24,000 and potential jail terms of up to two years. Furthermore, a new 'three strikes' rule has been introduced: any council member suspended three times will be disqualified from holding office for a decade.
Minister and Inspector Outline Their Vision
Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley stated the reforms aimed to strengthen integrity and decisively stamp out dysfunction. "If called upon by the Inspector to do so, I am not afraid to take that sort of decisive action, so that communities have a local government that is focused on serving them," Ms Beazley said.
She emphasised that the increased penalties, including the doubled financial fines, were intended to deter the poor conduct seen in the past.
Mr Brown, who brings over four decades of local government experience to the role, said his focus would be on proactive engagement. "My focus as Inspector is on early engagement to encourage greater accountability, improve decision-making and build capability across the sector," he stated.
He added that his team would provide assistance and education to support councils in delivering excellent services and value for their residents.
A Watershed Moment for Local Governance
The commencement of the Inspector's full powers marks a watershed moment for public accountability in Western Australian local government. With enhanced monitoring, stiffer penalties, and a dedicated watchdog, the state government aims to restore public trust and ensure councils operate with the highest standards of transparency and conduct. All 139 local governments are now formally on notice that their actions are under closer watch than ever before.
