Questions over Perth CEO sacking: premier

The West Australian government and the opposition have called on the City of Perth to provide a clearer explanation as to why it sacked its chief executive.

Perth's council voted unanimously to terminate Gary Stevenson on Wednesday, reportedly paying out the chief executive for the 18 months remaining on his contract.

Premier Colin Barnett says he wants a fuller explanation about the reasons behind Mr Stevenson's sacking.

"I don't know what the reasons were but I do believe the City of Perth has got a responsibility to provide some sort of explanation to its ratepayers and the wider community," Mr Barnett told reporters.

The chief executive's sacking follows a turbulent year for the City of Perth and its Mayor, Lisa Scaffidi, who was found to have engaged in serious misconduct by the Corruption and Crime Commission.

The CCC report found she had failed to declare gifts including a $US36,800 BHP Billiton-funded hospitality package for the Beijing Olympics.

A separate investigation into Ms Scaffidi's conduct is being undertaken by the WA Department of Local Government.

Opposition leader Mark McGowan echoed the premier's statements, saying he was not satisfied with the City's explanation as to why it sacked Mr Stevenson, and it must clarify the reasons behind the decision.

"I think that there were some significant issues at the City of Perth, and now the person who brought them to light is being sacked, and I think that needs a better explanation than what we've received," Mr McGowan said.

He said the WA Government must also move faster and release its findings from the Department of Local Government investigation into Ms Scaffidi, which may shed light on why the Perth chief executive was sacked.

"Well it is very odd and the government has procrastinated in releasing their inquiry into the City of Perth," Mr McGowan said.

Ms Scaffidi dismissed links between the chief executive's contract termination and investigations into her conduct, saying the Perth council wanted to take "a new direction".

Media reports have suggested Mr Stevenson could receive a payout of around $350,000.