A series of blunt internal emails reveals the depth of tensions between the City of Perth’s top leadership, with the chief executive warning a rushed council decision was causing “much stress” among staff, while the lord mayor accused her of actions that undermined council processes.
The correspondence – captured between October and December 2025, and obtained by this masthead under Freedom of Information laws – centres on the tensions within the city following the election of a new council and a controversial workplace culture review.
Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds tabled an urgent motion for the workplace review at his first council meeting on November 18, 2025, with councillors given only six minutes notice of the proposal and no opportunity to debate.
Chief executive Michelle Reynolds had taken pre-approved leave on November 14. The motion passed, but was criticised from within council and the administration over its legality and lack of consultation, and was later dropped.
Acting chief executive Peta Mabbs resigned amid the fallout and the matter was referred to Local Government Inspector Tony Brown.
On November 22, while on leave, Ms Reynolds wrote to councillor Catherine Lezer questioning the urgency of the lord mayor’s decision to put forward the motion.
Responding to an email forwarded by Lezer, Ms Reynolds said there was “little information [regarding] rationale particularly for the haste”.
“I am so disappointed I am not able to be present to support the administration … I sense the urgency from the [lord mayor] to commence for reasons I am unaware,” the CEO wrote.
“…the leadership team [says] this is causing must (sic) stress and questioning around the new council’s view of the city administration.”
Weeks later, on December 12, the lord mayor responded to a separate email the CEO had sent to councillors.
He said the email contained “assertions … not put to me beforehand” and included statements about his conduct that were “incorrect, unverified, or based on hearsay”.
“The decision to circulate a lengthy and highly sensitive email to all elected members … raises significant concerns regarding judgment, process and impact,” he said.
Mr Reynolds described the situation as “a breakdown in normal professional engagement” between himself and the chief executive.
Other emails lay bare day-to-day friction.
On November 12, the lord mayor emailed the chief executive after realising he was due to attend a World Police and Fire Games announcement later that day.
“Could I please receive a short briefing … having this sort of briefing … a day or so ahead would help ensure I’m fully prepared,” he said.
The chief executive replied that briefing notes and a speech had already been sent a week earlier and added they had been “included in your diary”.
“At any time you would like a briefing we are ready to provide … we have been ready since last Wednesday,” she wrote.
The lord mayor replied that he was “not being critical”, but asked for more proactive briefings for major events.
“If the executive admin team could look for opportunities to be proactive in arranging one-on-one briefings when appropriate such as in cases like this that would be greatly appreciated,” he said.
In another email exchange on November 20, councillor Raj Doshi asked the lord mayor if she could speak to the media after a council meeting.
Mr Reynolds replied in bold: “I do not give permission.”
Approached for comment about the emails, the lord mayor said they were a “professional exchange focused on governance, process and ensuring appropriate protocols and procedural fairness are followed”.
He said while there could be “differing views at times”, the focus remained on working constructively and delivering for the city.
The emails come as the council deals with broader workplace and governance issues.
A psychosocial risk report, referenced in the most recent Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee agenda, recommended an “experienced mediator” repair the relationship between the chief executive and the lord mayor, at a cost of about $17,500.
The agenda brief warned governance and elected member support teams were “significantly depleted”, with eight resignations since August 2025, and said recruitment had been “extremely difficult” due to “adverse publicity about the city”.
“The recruitment challenges are exacerbated by some staff in critical roles taking unanticipated personal leave for extended periods.”
Michelle Reynolds and Catherine Lezer were unable to provide formal comment.
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