Shire of Coorow councillors resign en masse after CEO's shock sacking

Three councillors from the Shire of Coorow have resigned following the sudden termination of the chief executive officer's contract. Mia Maxfield, the CEO, confirmed her contract was terminated at a council meeting after six years in the role.

Ms Maxfield stated her contract was due to expire next year, but she was informed her services were no longer required and immediately had her work laptop taken and building access revoked. She said she had no warning of the termination and is seeking legal advice.

Ms Maxfield was handed a document citing "non-performance" as the reason for her dismissal. The document has not been made public due to confidentiality restrictions.

The meeting minutes and recordings remain unpublished, but it is understood councillors voted 4-2 to terminate her contract. Newly-appointed shire president Colin Hassell has declined to comment.

Background to the controversy

Earlier this year, the council's former deputy CEO Sam Currulli was charged with nine offences including fraud, corruption, stealing and perjury related to his time working at the shire. Ms Maxfield referred some of the allegations to police on behalf of the shire.

Last year, Ms Maxfield was nominated in the National Awards for Local Government in the Women in Local Government category by her staff. She is also on the board of Local Government Professionals WA.

Resignations and concerns

Former shire president Guy Sims, deputy shire president Giulia Censi and councillor Luhan Van Den Heever resigned in the wake of Ms Maxfield's sacking, citing a "loss of confidence" in the remaining council.

"I have grave concerns about what has happened in the process of the termination of the CEO," Mr Sims said.

"It's actually the first meeting I've missed in nine years," he said. "I only found out what happened afterwards. I was appalled at what happened."

Mr Van Den Heever said, "For some councillors to be excluded and then just find out at the trigger point is concerning." He added, "I did not feel that that is how a council should behave. It was not right."

Government response

A state government spokesperson said Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley was aware of the situation. "The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety have been in contact with and is providing assistance to the Shire," they said.

Local Government Inspector Tony Brown said, "We closely monitor the affairs of all local governments in Western Australia and can intervene if there is a suspected breach of the Local Government Act 1995."