Former Cambridge mayor Keri Shannon loses appeal to overturn findings

A legal battle by former Town of Cambridge mayor Keri Shannon to overturn findings against her during her time in the council has failed.

The State Administrative Tribunal has dismissed all five of Ms Shannon’s appeals against findings by the Local Government Standards Panel she breached the town’s code of conduct.

The complaints were brought against her by fellow council members at the Town of Cambridge — including now-mayor Gary Mack — between September 2021 and May 2022, during Ms Shannon’s time as mayor.

Ms Shannon originally lodged nine appeals to the SAT, but the number was reduced to five after others were resolved through mediation.

The remaining complaints were appealed during a SAT hearing in September.

These included two letters to Post Newspapers criticising fellow councillors and town staff, comments at a council meeting that reflected adversely on a council decision, calling councillors “misogynists” during a meeting, and independently commissioning a planning report without authorisation.

The SAT found Ms Shannon’s applications to be “substantially unsuccessful” and the panel’s findings were upheld.

“By 21 November 2025, the parties shall file (lodge) with the Tribunal and give to the other party written submissions regarding an appropriate sanction,” the Tribunal’s orders read.

Ms Shannon was appointed the City of Nedlands’ CEO in May 2024, just months after her time as Cambridge mayor ended.

Last month she went on immediate and indefinite leave in the wake of a confidential performance review meeting held by the commissioners currently running the city.