Disgraced Cockburn mayor Stephen Lee has stood down from his role today as he begins his fight against a corporate watchdog finding.
Local Government Minister John Castrilli has welcomed the move by Stephen Lee, given that the new minister does no longer have to take the option of sacking the whole council, as available under existing law.
Mr Castrilli said he had received a letter from Mr Lee who has lodged a complaint with the Parliamentary Inspector to request a review of the Corruption and Crime Commission report.
That report, released last month, found Mr Lee had failed to declare up to $40,000 of funding for his election campaign from a developer linked to lobbyist Brian Burke.
"Mr Lee's decision to stand down and stand aside as Mayor allows him to pursue his rights of 'natural justice'," Mr Castrilli said.
"Importantly, the concerned Cockburn community can be assured that Mr Lee's hands have been effectively removed from the levers of power pending any investigation by the Parliamentary Inspector.
"Stephen Lee has advised me in writing that if the Parliamentary Inspector validates the findings of the CCC report or determines that no further report or review is required, that he will resign as Mayor immediately."
Mr Castrilli added that no further action would be taken on the matter while Mr Lee's request for a review was considered by the Parliamentary Inspector.
The CCC did not recommend any disciplinary action against Mr Lee in its report.