Lisa Scaffidi has stood down as Perth Lord Mayor pending an appeal against her 18-month disqualification from holding office for repeatedly failing to disclose accommodation and travel gifts.
The State Administrative Tribunal in May found Ms Scaffidi had breached the Local Government Act 45 times by not disclosing the gifts, including a BHP Billiton-funded $US24,000 package to the Beijing Olympics, which was one of five breaches she admitted.
The SAT handed down its penalty on Monday, and while it was stayed in the WA Court of Appeal on Thursday, she mutually agreed with the State Solicitor's Office and Department of Local Government not to undertake her mayoral duties pending the appeal outcome.
She is also appealing the SAT findings.
"The Court of Appeal also agreed to expedite my appeals and I look forward to them being heard and determined as soon as possible," Ms Scaffidi said in a statement.
"I have not stood down from the office. The agreement is that I have stood down from my duties. I retain the office of Lord Mayor."
The disqualification was due to have taken effect at midnight on Thursday.
Ms Scaffidi said the department had agreed that if she succeeded in her appeals and the outcome was the disqualification being replaced by suspension, the period of suspension would be backdated to start on Thursday.
The tribunal found Ms Scaffidi's disclosure failures were "gross carelessness" and she continued to be careless in preparing important documents, such as her witness statement which she admitted contained errors.
The tribunal acknowledged Ms Scaffidi repeatedly apologised and expressed remorse, but they appeared to be "simply empty words" and she still failed to understand the gravity of her conduct.
The tribunal was also concerned Ms Scaffidi continued to blame others, and it criticised her evidence that she was "busy".
Ms Scaffidi is entitled to receive her annual allowance from the City of Perth while deputy lord mayor James Limnios will act in her stead until an outcome is reached.
