The City of Vincent is threatening to leave the local government association, accusing the state body of being "out of touch" with ratepayers on the critical issues of accountability and transparency.

Last year, Mayor John Carey's proposal to introduce new measures to increase accountability were voted down at the WA Local Government conference.

He had wanted a requirement for all councils to have a public online register of travel expenditure, gifts and hospitality.

Mr Carey stepped up his demands for reform of local government after the travel entitlements scandal surrounding City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi.

Today he said Vincent council would commission a report examining the pros and cons of staying with WALGA.

"The question for us is do we want to belong to an organisation that its values and aspirations are out of touch for our ratepayers," he told 720 ABC Perth.

"That says, 'We don't think accountability and transparency needs to be improved, reformed and changed'."

Mr Carey railed against what he said was WALGA's claim it had "best practice" policies on transparency and governance.

"That is false," he said. "The reality is we have as a sector a long way to go in terms of transparency and accountability. There are serious issues that need to be addressed."

WALGA advocates transparency: president

WALGA president Lynne Craigie rejected his claim.

"I would disagree with him," Ms Craigie said. "We strive for best practice and when councillors don't do the right thing, they are called to task over it, as we've seen in recent examples."

Mr Carey again called for the auditor-general to oversee and review local government finances, namely the collection of rates.

Last year, the State Government unveiled planned measures it said would improve accountability and transparency in the local government sector, mandatory training of councillors and a role for the auditor-general auditing council finances.

Ms Craigie stressed WALGA believed all councils' books should be open to inspection by the public and it was looking at what other states were doing, such as Victoria's myGov online website.

"WALGA is by no means opposed to transparency in local government. We're all for it. We believe in training," she said.

"What we're against is mandatory training, where there is some form of punishment for those who don't attend a certain amount of training."

Mr Carey also indicated he was considering standing for the state seat of Perth at the next election.

He did not lodge nomination paper work with the ALP to stand at its candidate, despite expectations he would.

The seat is currently held by Liberal Eleni Evangel.

Mr Carey said he was still deciding what to do.

"Yes, I'm mulling it over. But I haven't made a decision. I need more time," he said.