Published on:
Wednesday, 20 August 2025Key Points:
- WALGA welcomes State Government appointment of Executive Director Tony Brown to the position of Local Government Inspector
- Tony Brown has served WALGA for almost 20 years
The Western Australian Local Government Association welcomes the State Government's appointment of WALGA Executive Director Member Services, Mr Tony (Anthony) Brown as the inaugural Local Government Inspector.
As part of the State Government's Local Government Reforms, the State-funded Office of the Local Government Inspector is to be established to provide support, advice and clarity for Mayors, Presidents, Elected Members and Council Chief Executive Officers on their roles and responsibilities.
The establishment of the Office of the Local Government Inspector will provide improved and more efficient monitoring should early intervention on issues be required.
WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP acknowledged the significant contribution Mr Brown has made to WALGA and the entire Local Government sector in WA over the last 40 years.
President Chappel said Mr Brown has dedicated his life to the service of WA Local Governments and during this time, he has provided expert guidance and advice across the sector.
"WALGA, on behalf of its 139 Member Local Governments congratulates Mr Brown on his appointment as the Local Government Inspector," President Chappel said.
"This appointment is what the Local Government sector has been looking for and provides legitimacy, certainty and confidence around the Inspectorate.
"I've personally worked with Tony over my more than 20 years in the Local Government sector and his knowledge and understanding of Local Government in WA is unparalleled.
"Mr Brown is driven by his passion for Local Government, evidenced by his extensive career to date, and while his expertise and counsel will be deeply missed at WALGA, we look forward to continuing to work with him in the future."
In 1979, Mr Brown started his career in Local Government as a Finance/Clerical Officer at the Merredin Shire Council. From there, Tony served multiple roles around the state – Administration/Payroll Officer at the Kwinana Town Council 1984-87, Assistant Shire Clerk at Shire of Koorda 1987-88 and Assistant Shire Clerk at the Shire of Augusta Margaret River 1988-95.
From 1995, Tony served as Director Finance and Administration and Chief Executive Officer (1999-2001) at the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley before taking a short break from the sector to start a family business in 2001.
In 2004, Tony returned to Local Government as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Shire of Gingin (2004-2005) and the Executive Manager of Finance and Administration at the Town of East Fremantle (2005-2006). In 2006, Tony took a role at the newly formed Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) as the Manager of Governance. Mr Brown has remained at WALGA since then, holding various titles over his almost 20 years of service and in 2022, Tony was appointed Executive Director Member Services.
Tony's last day with WALGA will be 3rd October 2025. We extend our best wishes as Tony embarks on this next chapter of his career.
