Local Government Inspector—Tony Brown
Brief ministerial statement
Ms Hannah Beazley (Victoria Park—Minister for Local Government) (12:19 pm): I rise today to inform the house of the appointment of the inaugural Local Government Inspector. Mr Tony Brown has been appointed by the Governor as our state's first Local Government Inspector, and I welcome the inspector to the Speaker's gallery today.
This appointment is a significant milestone in the Cook government's reforms of the local government sector—the largest reforms to our system of local government in over 25 years. It heralds a new era of oversight and strengthened governance for our local government sector. The inspector will have greater powers to investigate and intervene to ensure compliance with laws and codes of conduct with a focus on early intervention so that issues are identified and resolved before they escalate. If needed, he will have the ability to recommend the dismissal of a council or council member following an inquiry. The inspector will work with and deploy a panel of local government monitors expert in various matters such as governance, financial management and conflict resolution. The inspector will also be supported by skilled investigators, compliance specialists, complaints handlers and other support staff.
Inspector Brown has been serving within the local government sector for over 20 years, including most recently as the executive director of member services at the Western Australian Local Government Association, and has previously served as the CEO of a local government. His professional experience demonstrates an important understanding of and commitment to the compliance and competencies required by local governments to effectively serve their communities.
Inspector Brown's appointment commences on 20 October 2025. Initially, he will be working with the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety to set up the Office of the Local Government Inspector, which is scheduled to formally start operations from 1 January 2026.
I am delighted that Inspector Brown has taken on this important role and have every confidence that he will set a high standard for conduct in the local government sector, so that we see less local government dysfunction and more local governments delivering for their communities. Nearly all our local governments fulfill their role in the interests of their communities and with good governance, accountability and transparency. Those who do not—the minority—tarnish the whole sector. With the appointment of WA's first Local Government Inspector, local government wrongdoers have been put on notice.
I know that all members will join me in congratulating Inspector Brown and wishing him well in his important work.
