A long-serving council chief executive in Western Australia’s outback Goldfields has been suspended amid growing concerns over the organisation’s workplace culture.
Shire of Coolgardie councillors voted to suspend James Trail at a special council meeting held on Thursday, pending an investigation into the so far unsubstantiated allegations.
“This investigation will address allegations against the CEO,” a statement released by shire president Malcolm Cullen in the wake of the meeting stated.
“All concerned parties will have an opportunity to participate in this investigation.
“It is important to note, that no allegations have been substantiated at this time.”
The move comes amid a series of complaints over working conditions at the council that have drawn the attention of authorities.
The ABC had sent a detailed list of questions to the shire concerning the complaints last week but had received no response until the notification of Mr Trail’s suspension today.
“In the interests of transparency and council stability, this investigation is necessary,” the statement read.
“Our staff will work to continue to provide services at a level that meets community expectations while the investigation is held.
“The shire is confident the investigation will allow all allegations to be fully considered and will allow all parties to be treated fairly and in a just manner.”
The ABC has contacted Mr Trail for comment.
Malcolm Cullen says complaints against Mr Trail will be investigated. (ABC Goldfields: Jarrod Lucas)
Department aware of issues
A spokesperson for Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley said her department was aware of complaints at the shire.
“The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSCI) has been monitoring matters at the Shire of Coolgardie for some time, providing support and advice,” the spokesperson said.
“I have been advised that these inquiries are ongoing.
“Given my specific statutory responsibilities as the minister for local government, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter.
“However, as minister for local government my expectations, and the expectations of the community are that local governments are focused on delivering important local services and acting in ways that are productive, respectful, and reflect positively on their community.”
Prior history with corruption watchdog
In 2012, Mr Trail was dismissed from his position as chief executive of the Shire of Kalamunda for misconduct and was the subject of a Corruption and Crime Commission inquiry.
That investigation found he received undeclared gifts from a software company and had purchased products for the council beyond the approved financial limit.
But Mr Trail was never charged with corruption and told the ABC last year the Shire of Coolgardie was made fully aware of his history when he was hired, initially as a management consultant and then acting CEO in 2016.
Coolgardie is a small town in WA, 560 kilometres east of Perth. (ABC Goldfields: Jarrod Lucas)
His administration subsequently came under scrutiny from the Department of Local Government in 2020, following allegations he had used his position to benefit himself or another person through the awarding of shire contracts.
The department also probed allegations that Mr Trail had overstepped boundaries and “pursued his own agenda”.
But a three-year investigation found “no obvious suspicious financial activity” or breaches of tendering practices.
Speaking to the ABC in the wake of that investigation, Mr Trail said he had been “vindicated”.
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He said the previous allegations from Kalamunda had followed him throughout his career.
“When you google James Trail [that’s what you find] but what it doesn’t say is I went to court and I wasn’t charged with any corruption.
“That’s stayed with me because that’s never come out, nobody talks about that because it doesn’t make stories and there’s no question it’s followed me.
“I’ve lived with it for 10 years, and my family has too … so now we can get on with business … for both me and the council it’s a relief and vindication.”
