THE City of Perth council has terminated the contract of its chief executive Gary Stevenson effective immediately.

The decision was taken at a behind-closed-doors meeting of the council on Wednesday morning.

Camera Icon Gary Stevenson Credit: Supplied

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi fronted a media pack on the front lawn of Council House on Wednesday, stressing that the decision to sack Mr Stevenson was “unanimously endorsed” by all nine councillors, which includes her.

It’s believed Mr Stevenson was less than three and a half years through a five-year contract.

Ms Scaffidi said the decision was “completely mutually exclusive” to the controversy hitting the City of Perth in the past 12 months over the Corruption and Crime Commission’s investigations into the Lord Mayor.

The CCC had also been looking into possible breaches of conduct by other councillors and also staff, based on information Mr Stevenson provided the CCC last year.

Ms Scaffidi is still waiting for the outcome of the Department of Local Government’s investigations into possible breaches of the Local Government Act.

The Department told PerthNow and The Sunday Times late last year that “its current investigations into Ms Scaffidi may be expanded beyond matters raised in the CCC report”.

The Department had said at the time that its own investigation could not rely on evidence used by the CCC’s report into serious misconduct by Ms Scaffidi for failing to declare trips worth tens of thousands of dollars.

When contacted on 7 January for an update of its investigations, a Department spokeswoman said:

“As there is currently an open investigation into the Lord Mayor as a result of the Corruption and Crime Commission Report, the department will not be making further comment at this time.”

THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF LISA SCAFFIDI’S MEDIA INTERVIEW

Opening Statement by Ms Scaffidi: The City of Perth Council today has unanimously voted on the termination of Mr Gary Stevenson.

We thank Mr Stevenson for his incredible service, particularly during the Local Govt reform time that we went through last year.

We want to thank him for that service and wish him well.

It was a council meeting held at 9.30 this morning, attended by all nine councillors and the decision was unanimously endorsed.

Q: So why was he sacked?

Scaffidi: Mr Stevenson has been thanked for his service. We have made a decision as a council that we would like a new direction within our executive team and we look forward to delivering that in the next ongoing period.

Q: So it was based on performance or what?

Scaffidi: No, not at all. It was mutual consent and we’re moving forward.

Q: Are you concerned about bringing in a new CEO this close to the City of Perth Bill being brought in?

Scaffidi: We don’t have those concerns. We’re very satisfied with the decision that’s been made today.

Q: It’s been a pretty tough 12 months for yourself and for the City. Is this going to look like he’s been made a scapegoat?

Scaffidi: Obviously, the issues of the last 12 months are still being sorted out from my perspective. Personally it’s been a very interesting time for me, a learning curve for me, in terms of many of the governance issues. I’m looking forward to that being concluded and I can’t add any more to that at the moment.

Q: So he hasn’t been made a scapegoat for travel rort sagas?

Scaffidi: The issue is completely mutually exclusive or separate to that issue, not related at all. And I think that’s confirmed in the unanimity of the decision. To repeat, all nine councillors attended the specially convened council meeting this morning and the decision was unanimous.

Q: So if it wasn’t related to some of the stuff that went on last year or to performance, can you elaborate at all on what it was? Was it felt that Gary just wasn’t a good fit after four years or were there personality clashes?

Scaffidi: It was mutual consent to have a change of direction. As you have correctly identified, we’ve gone through a period of my issue, also organisational reform, an election, local government reform, which didn’t go as planned. And yet, the City of Perth has hopefully successfully achieved the Capital City Charter or the Perth Act. So there has been a lot going on, probably more going on in the last 12 months than might have gone on in many years put together.

It is what it is. You can add it up, and cut it and splice it and dice however you wish to but the decision today has been mutual consent and just, you know, a new direction.

Q: But the timing is curious. Wouldn’t you want somebody in the role who’s been there for a few years given the tumultuous 12 months you’ve just had?

Scaffidi: I don’t accept that premise. The timing has nothing to do with it.

Q: How much time of his contract was unmet?

Scaffidi: I think that’s a confidential matter but it was a 5-year contract.

Q: When was the decision made to hold the meeting today and how long was the council, being dissatisfied, felt a new direction was needed?

Scaffidi: I think that’s all confidential information. The meeting was convened late last night.

Q: Last year, Gary did refer several councillors, not yourself, to the CCC for travel …(Scaffidi interjects)

Scaffidi: Completely separate to this issue.

Q: I was going to say are you concerned that it’s not a great look for those same councillors to be among those who then decide to terminate his contract?

Scaffidi: Again I think that’s just a spin on it. I think in reality it’s unanimous endorsement and that’s where it begins and ends.

Q: What exactly does a new direction mean?

Scaffidi: We are going into a time where obviously local government reform didn’t occur to the extent that perhaps it was going to. And the boundary changes aren’t as large. The City of Perth has gone through a significant internal reorganisation of our operations which we believe is going very well. We believe now it’s time to look at a different style of management for the executive that will obviously assist us in connecting with the stakeholders and repositioning the City of Perth as the Capital City for Perth (sic).

Q: So why isn’t Mr Stevenson a good candidate for that role?

Scaffidi: The decision has been made and I don’t see that as a relevant question.

I don’t really have any more to add so I’ll take one more question.

Q; If the meeting was convened late last night, which was obviously very sudden, how long was this in the planning stages?

Scaffidi: I can assure everybody this has not been a sudden ill-considered decision, that there have been many discussions going forth and for confidentiality reasons I will not and cannot add any more to what I’m saying right now.

Q: Just to jump on to another matter, Perth’s known for being very pricey. Can you tell us, is it bad for us, what does it mean for tourism, or are there benefits given the exchange rate etc?

Scaffidi: A very interesting question because what I continue to question in my own mind as a consumer and as the Lord Mayor of the City, is the fact that we know that the hourly costs and the employment costs are high here. But how much of it is profiteering and what is the actual cost versus the retail price. I would like to see some analysis of that so that we can understand how prices are struck according to the labour component and the actual cost of the raw items that go into whatever it is — a meal, an item that we might purchase over the counter.

Q: So you don’t necessarily think it deters people from wanting to come here?

Scaffidi: Look, I don’t. I think we have so much to offer as a city in terms of liveability. We know that our criteria in terms of our liveability status are world renowned. We are recognised as one of the top 10 most liveable cities in the world. And so I think people don’t mind, well they do mind, but I think people, you know, make appropriate adjustments. But let’s not forget the cost of living is an impact and I think that is why we see as much begging and other issues playing out in our city at this time.

Q: Are you waiting for the Local Government (Department) to make its decision on its investigation into you?

Scaffidi: I have not had any contact from the Department of Local Government on that matter. Thank you very much everyone.