Embattled Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has lost the support of her deputy, with James Limnios calling for her to step aside following the release of another report into her conduct.
Embattled Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has lost the support of her deputy, with James Limnios calling for her to step aside following the release of another report into her conduct.
But Ms Scaffidi fired back at her deputy, urging Mr Limnios to move a no-confidence motion at the City of Perth’s next council meeting (on Tuesday) to test the ‘theory’ that she has lost the council’s confidence.
“I believe I have the support of the majority of councillors,” Ms Scaffidi told reporters.
“If the deputy lord mayor feels this way I put it to him that he should move a notice of lost confidence for the meeting next Tuesday.”
“I am disappointed that (Mr Limnios) feels this way as a lord mayor should be able to rely on the deputy that is appointed by the council vote.”
Ms Scaffidi said it was business as usual at the City of Perth, but she wanted the Department of Local Government to try and fast-track the State Administrative Tribunal’s process to put an end to the investigation.
Mr Limnios said Ms Scaffidi's position as lord mayor was untenable, and ratepayers deserved better after a Department of Local Government report found she had failed to disclose overseas holidays.
"They deserve this process to be completed and for this cloud that sits above the capital city of Perth to be removed," Mr Limnios told ABC Radio.
In a statement, Mr Limnios said the public’s confidence in local government integrity was paramount.
“My conscience does not allow me to stand by and not protect the interests of the City of Perth, its reputation, the rate payers, stakeholders and the 750 people that work at the city,” he said.
“Therefore, I feel I have to give my opinion in the most honest way possible.
“After reading the local government department report several times I have come to the conclusion that the lord mayor’s position is now untenable and I feel that she should now stand aside at least until a formal decision has been made by the State Solicitors Office or if it is referred to State Administrative Tribunal by SAT.”
Mr Limnios said while he was concerned that the report stated Ms Scaffidi had failed on numerous occasions to declare travel-related gifts, his major concern was around the acceptance of some of the gifts.
“In particular the Broom Cup and Beijing Olympic gifts as council was doing business during that period of time with the two organisations that provided them,” he said.
“We have been elected to serve the rate payers and citizens of this city with Integrity hence why I take this position.”