Message from the Mayor regarding CEO employment

It’s no secret that the City of South Perth has been the subject of some controversy over the past 12 months.

Council has refrained from making public comment during this time, because it was necessary to allow the proper processes to be conducted and for Council to ensure procedural fairness.

In August of this year, Council unanimously resolved to suspend CEO Liz Ledger and appoint an external independent workplace investigator to investigate multiple allegations of misconduct against Ms Ledger.

That investigation has now been concluded. Council received the outcome of the independent investigation (including Ms Ledger’s responses to the allegations) last week.

On the basis of the findings of misconduct, Council unanimously resolved at a Special Council Meeting last night to summarily terminate Ms Ledger’s employment with immediate effect.

This supersedes her tendered resignation of 26 October 2026.

Ms Gail McGowan PSM was appointed as Monitor to the City of South Perth in February following my request, and Ms McGowan concluded her tenure earlier this month. I am very grateful to Ms McGowan for her oversight during this period and her presence has very much assisted the Council and City to successfully navigate through a challenging period and get things back on track.

I want to thank my Council colleagues for their hard work and cooperation during challenging circumstances. Our community deserves a Council that is focused on service and on delivering good outcomes, and I think that’s exactly what our community has seen in recent months.

I also want to thank our Acting Executive Management Team and all employees. They have really risen to the challenge over the past 12 months and have been going the extra mile to maintain service delivery during this period. It hasn’t been easy for our employees, and I am just so grateful for their dedication and their commitment to our wonderful community.

Council will shortly begin the process for the appointment of a new substantive CEO, and all of us, Council Members and employees alike, are focused on moving forward and continuing to serve the wonderful people of our beautiful City.

Mayor Greg Milner