The City of Perth has reappointed former chief executive Garry Hunt for a 12-month term, stepping into the role left vacant after the council sacked Michelle Reynolds. The appointment was endorsed at a special council meeting on Tuesday night.
The council endorsed the interim appointment at a special meeting on Tuesday night, while the search for a permanent replacement progressed.
Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds said on Wednesday that the council was "pleased to appoint an experienced and capable leader" to guide the organisation.
"Dr Hunt brings an exceptional depth of experience, a proven record of leadership and a strong understanding of the City of Perth, having previously led the organisation," Reynolds said.
"With more than 30 years of experience as a local government CEO, including leading the cities of Perth, Joondalup and Melville, his ability to lead complex organisations and navigate periods of change makes him ideally suited to this role."
The return of Hunt comes weeks after the council dismissed chief executive Michelle Reynolds. Separate reporting from earlier this month described tensions running high at a council meeting over the sacking as councillors grappled with the departure of the city's top administrator.
Hunt's appointment gives the City of Perth an experienced leader familiar with the organisation while councillors work through a permanent recruitment process.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The City of Perth's chief executive runs the administration of Western Australia's capital city local government, so the leadership change affects council staff, planning decisions and city services.
- The appointment lands in a period of internal tension, with earlier reporting describing frayed tempers at council meetings over the sacking of the previous CEO.
- The 12-month interim arrangement means the council will be managing a leadership search for the foreseeable future.
Background
The City of Perth dismissed chief executive Michelle Reynolds, a decision that has clearly divided the council. Reports from earlier this month described tensions running high at a council meeting over the sacking. Local government CEOs in Australia are appointed by their elected councils and can be removed by them, which makes leadership changes a matter of council politics as much as administration. Garry Hunt previously led the City of Perth, along with the cities of Joondalup and Melville, and brings more than 30 years of experience as a local government CEO.
Key Perspectives
Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds: Frames Hunt's return as a win for the organisation, praising his depth of experience, his leadership record and his prior knowledge of the City of Perth.
Council critics: The previous sacking was contentious, and tensions were reported at council meetings in the weeks before this appointment. The manner of Michelle Reynolds' departure remains a live issue within the council chamber.
Skeptics: An interim CEO appointment, even one with local knowledge, does not resolve the underlying instability. The council must still run a recruitment process, and the circumstances of the sacking could continue to hang over its work.
What to Watch
- Progress on the search for a permanent chief executive over the next year.
- Whether the tensions that surfaced at earlier council meetings over the sacking resurface.
- Whether Hunt's interim term is extended if the permanent recruitment drags on.