WA Premier Mark McGowan has called on Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi to step down.

Recent local government elections in WA have seen two of Ms Scaffidi’s strongest allies replaced.

The results are expected to lead to a hotly contested fight for the position of deputy lord mayor, which will be decided this week.

The Lord Mayor remains embroiled in a State Administrative Tribunal investigation of her expenses scandal.

The Premier says she should get out of the way.

“I think the electors have sent another message that she should stand down,” Mr McGowan said.

“The behaviour at the City of Perth has not being acceptable, and I certainly hope all the councillors on the City of Perth understand that.”

With Ms Scaffidi technically suspended, acting Mayor James Limnios has been in charge.

He says he may try to take on the role full-time if Ms Scaffidi fails in her appeal against a disqualification handed to her by the State Administrative Tribunal.

In the wake of the local government elections, former Liberal Party environment minister Albert Jacob has made a successful return to politics, becoming Mayor of Joondalup.

Mr Jacob was dumped from state politics after the March state poll, and was one of nine former state MPs making a bid for local office.

Sports Minister Mick Murray warned that working in the lower tier would not be easier.

“As we know in politics, one day you're a rooster, the next day you're a feather duster,” Mr Murray said.

“It doesn't take long for the shine to wear off, and he's got to be very careful about that because in local government, the easiest way to upset people is put the rates up and those sorts of things, and straight away you become not the man of the time.”

Mr Jacob said he was not trying to return to parliament just yet.

“I'm certainly not saying never. I think it's highly unlikely I will be a candidate during my term as Mayor,” he said.

“In years to come who knows what will happen, but for the foreseeable future I don't see myself standing for parliament again.”