'I’m not going anywhere': mayoral meltdown as entire WA city council sacked

Australian Community Media

An explosive radio interview with Nedlands Mayor Fiona Argyle has capped off a chaotic week for the Perth council, which is now set to be sacked and replaced by commissioners after mass resignations. This video includes ACM-produced voiceover powered by AI.

Transcript

00:00I'll still be there. I'm not going anywhere.

00:02This is political. This is all political.

00:05Fiery radio interview from Nedlands Mayor Fiona Argyle

00:08has capped off a week of chaos

00:10with the West Australian Government moving to sack the entire council

00:13after four councillors resigned.

00:16The accusation was that the city...

00:19Well, if anyone accuses me of bad behaviour or defamation, I'll sue them.

00:23No, fair enough.

00:24Because I have been nothing but a good mayor.

00:25I'm not talking...

00:26And I am really a good mayor who is highly educated and works hard

00:32and has been nothing but honest.

00:34If anyone says anything bad about me, I will sue them.

00:38In the now viral interview, Argyle refused to step down,

00:41saying I'm not going anywhere

00:43and even floated starting her own political party.

00:46Maybe I'll rerun.

00:49Maybe I'll rerun.

00:50Maybe I will rerun.

00:52Maybe I'll set up a new political party and rerun.

00:55Because this country needs smart people.

00:58You mean you'll run in the WA government...

01:02For the WA government talk?

01:03Maybe I'll run federal.

01:05Maybe I'll set up my own party.

01:06I can do whatever.

01:08I have choice.

01:08I'm an educated, smart woman.

01:10The resignations left the Perth Council without a quorum

01:13and unable to function after months of governance issues

01:16and walkouts mid-meeting.

01:18The fact that all four of us have resigned

01:20and we've been tenuously talking about it, I guess, for quite a while

01:25does send a message to the mayor that you've got to listen to everybody.

01:29Nedlands has been mired in controversy in recent years,

01:33most notably for its opposition to a proposed park

01:35near WA's first children's hospice,

01:38a flashpoint that eventually saw the planning minister

01:41seize control of the land.

01:43WA's local government minister, Hannah Beasley,

01:47confirmed three commissioners will replace the council

01:49until fresh elections in October.

01:52So once the commissioners are appointed,

01:53every seat, including the mayors, is vacated.

01:56So it becomes a full spill election.

01:58I'm not up for election for another two years.

02:02So I'll still be there.

02:03I'm not going anywhere.

02:04This is political.

02:06This is all political.

02:07I've done nothing but represent my city

02:09and lead the way environmentally

02:12and on sound fiscal management.

02:15Do you have a final message for the ratepayers of Nedlands?

02:18I say it's a great day.

02:20It really is a fantastic day.

02:23And thank you.

02:25You guys are awesome.

02:25The community is amazing.

02:28Look, thank you very much for joining us.

02:30I can't imagine that it's a pretty difficult time.

02:32Thank you very much, Fiona.

02:33No, it's fine.

02:34Bye.

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