Perth Lord Mayor urged to 'stand down now'

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has again been urged to stand down after losing two of her strongest allies in local government elections.

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi leaving court in June.

Perth Lord Mayor, Lisa Scaffidi, lost allies in Saturday's council elections. (AAP)

WA Premier Mark McGowan has renewed his call for Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi to step down after two of her allies failed to get re-elected but her two strongest critics secured second terms.

Reece Harley was comfortably re-elected as a City of Perth councillor on Saturday, as was current deputy lord mayor James Limnios.

Both have been scathing of Ms Scaffidi, not just for her gifts disclosure scandal but also for issues like media gags.

Two of her allies, Judy McEvoy and Keith Yong, fell well short.

Each won about 6.3 of the vote, compared to between 10.4 per cent and 11.55 per cent for the four successful candidates.

"The electors have sent another message that she should stand down," Mr McGowan told reporters.

"I'd just urge her to end all the pain and suffering, and stand down now."

The 57-year-old was in September disqualified from holding office for 18 months.

The State Administrative Tribunal found she had breached the Local Government Act 45 times by not disclosing accommodation and travel gifts, including a $US24,000 BHP Billiton-funded package to the Beijing Olympics.

She's appealing, however.

Mr Harley, who tried to oust her as mayor in 2015, said voters had made it clear they were sick and tired of the internal dramas that had plagued the council during her second term.

Ms Scaffidi was initially a breath of fresh air but it was time for her to let go, he said.

"This election result is absolutely a signal for change at the City of Perth," Mr Harley told AAP.

"People wanted fresh faces on the council and a new direction, and I believe that's what's happened."

He said the still-unresolved process had dragged on way too long - taking more than two years - and the Local Government Act should be changed so such matters could be dealt with quicker in future.

If Ms Scaffidi loses her appeal or decides to give up, a fresh mayoral election will be held, so City of Perth ratepayers could be going back to the polls in just a few months.

The council will vote on Tuesday for the deputy mayor position, which is the top job given Ms Scaffidi's situation.

Mr Harley said it was likely he would nominate for the deputy role.

He also said he would push for greater transparency including live streaming of council meetings.


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Source: AAP



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