Scaffidi probe delay frustrates WA premier

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says he can't understand why a government inquiry into embattled Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has taken so long.

The inquiry follows a damning Corruption and Crime Commission report in May that exposed her failure to disclose a BHP Billiton-funded, $US36,800 trip to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The CCC concluded she engaged in serious misconduct by failing to disclose not just that trip, but also free tickets from BHP Billiton to a 2009 Chris Isaak concert at Leeuwin Estate and accommodation for the 2008 Broome Cup from property group Hawaiian Investments Pty Ltd.

"All I want to see is that inquiry completed, released and then - depending what its conclusions or recommendations are - Lisa Scaffidi will have to make a decision on her future," Mr Barnett told ABC radio on Thursday.

The Lord Mayor's reputation had been damaged in the lengthy process, he added.

In parliament on Wednesday, the opposition demanded answers from local government minister Tony Simpson as to why the review has taken more than five months.

Mr Simpson deflected responsibility for the delays on to his department, adding it could not be rushed.

"I cannot make it go any faster," he said.

"It is out of my hands - it is in the hands of my department.

"I have asked my director general to make sure she makes it a top priority."

On Tuesday, opposition local government spokesman David Templeman said the role of Perth lord mayor was being sullied by speculation in the absence of the report.

"This does not help the position of lord mayor and I believe it erodes the status and puts a dark cloud over the City of Perth in total," he said.

Ms Scaffidi, who secured a third term in October, has declined to comment while the inquiry process is under way.