The investigation into Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi is likely to remain secret. Credit:Louise Kennerley "I'm confident we'll get somewhere soon. It's going through the processes." But WAtoday understands the report will not be made public after a senior local government staffer confirmed to a City of Perth ratepayer on Tuesday the minister's office was incorrect about its public release. The ratepayer rang the department on Tuesday to find out where they could read the report. The ratepayer said they were referred to the regulation and support section, where a staffer insisted the the report would not be made public, despite Minister Simpson's assurances.

Local Government Minister Tony Simpson has resigned from state cabinet sparking a new leadership crisis for Premier Colin Barnett. Credit:Photo:ABC "I said to them 'I was transferred to you because you'd be able to help me find on your website where I could look for the report'," the ratepayer told WAtoday. The ratepayer said the staffer replied: "There must be some misunderstanding because that's not correct." Colin Barnett wants the report into Ms Scaffidi made public too. Credit:Erin Jonasson EJZ According to the ratepayer, the staffer then said they would "make a call to [Minister Simpson's] office to let them know that this is not correct."

On Thursday a spokeperson for Mr Simpson would say only that the minister would not provide "running commentary" into the investigation. A failure to release the report would fly in the face of demands from both Minister Simpson and WA Premier Colin Barnett, who have both insisted in recent weeks and days that the report into Ms Scaffidi - who has refused to comment on the investigation despite being allowed to - would be made public. A spokesperson from Mr Barnett's office said on Wednesday he wanted the report to be released publicly. Mr Barnett has previously also lamented how long the investigation into her claims was taking. Opposition local government spokesperson David Templeman said now the report was complete and Mr Simpson was in possession of a copy, he had an ethical responsibility to release it to the public.

"In the interest of certainty for the City of Perth, the state government report concerning Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi must be released immediately," he said. "This saga has been going on too long. The standing of the Perth Lord Mayor is being sullied by speculation. "City of Perth ratepayers deserve to have the report out in the open and for this saga to finally end. "The Liberal government is failing in its responsibility to be open and transparent." The department launched its own investigation into Ms Scaffidi after a damning CCC report released in October 2015 found she had failed in her duties as Lord Mayor by accepting a string of overseas travel jaunts and luxury gifts and not declared them.

When contacted by WAtoday on Tuesday, it again failed to confirm if the report would be released publicly, making reference to the ongoing investigation, despite it being over and both the minister and Ms Scaffidi having copies. "The Department of Local Government and Communities is treating the matter regarding the Lord Mayor of Perth as a high priority," it said in a statement. "The department carries out its role with diligence and follows standards of procedural fairness to any person of interest to its investigation function. "It is therefore not appropriate to provide a running commentary on matters pertinent to an investigation." Ms Scaffidi's woes have only increased since the CCC report severely damaged her standing as Lord Mayor after the corruption watchdog exposed her failure to disclose a BHP Billiton-paid, $US36,800 trip to the 2008 Beijing Olympics among other undeclared gifts and travel.

Only this week she faced another backlash for demanding the City of Perth council approve expenses for her to stay at Bunker Bay resort in Eagle Bay for a two-day Property Council event from May 19-20. A cloud of secrecy has hovered over Ms Scaffidi and the City of Perth since the CCC's damning report. In January the City of Perth council sacked its CEO Gary Stevenson, who pushed for greater transparency from the council, with Mr Barnett and opposition leader Mark McGowan demanding explanations as to why. Then in March, Ms Scaffidi admitted she had taken even more undeclared overseas trips but would not reveal where, before launching a bizarre tirade on social media against prominent Perth journalist Liam Bartlett. Mr Bartlett had asked her how many more trips she had taken undeclared.

Lisa Scaffidi timeline - a Lord Mayor under fire: May 21, 2015

Australian Federal Police refer Perth mayor Lisa Scaffidi to the Corruption and Crime Commission after US investigators found BHP Billiton gave her flights and tickets to the 2008 Beijing Olympics worth up to $US36,000 as part of a wider probe into the firm's entertainment of foreign officials, for which it was later fined $32 million. May 22

Scaffidi tries to take control of Kings Park, UWA, Crown Casino, the new Perth Stadium and Oxford Street in Leederville among other lucrative landmarks by incorporating them into redrawn City of Perth boundary maps. The grab for greater cash and control later fails when Colin Barnett abandons amalgamation plans. October 6

CCC declares she failed in her duties by accepting a raft of undeclared gifts and trips October 6

Claims she "would've disclosed my underwear" if she knew she had to in relation to the CCC findings, despite being on council for almost 10 years

October 7

Scaffidi pledges to release crucial documents in her defence but claims CCC Act prevents it. CCC then urges her to release them – she doesn't October 11

Deputy Mayor Rob Butler found to have also taken undeclared trip, later dumped by voters October 12

City of Perth ratepayers told they can't change postal votes in wake of Scaffidi misconduct October 14

Dumped from Local Government Standards Panel, which hears misconduct complaints against councillors October 16

Documents reveal she and council spend $1m hosting parties and guests at Council House

October 18

Narrowly avoids defeat in council elections. November 20

Forced to accept greater transparency measures to help City of Perth Act pass in Parliament November 30

Threatens to quit after Local Government Department launches its own review into her conduct January 20

Councillors sack City of Perth CEO Gary Stevenson, who pushed for greater transparency from council Late January

Imposes unofficial media ban on City of Perth council and staff in wake of CEO sacking

January 27

Subiaco Mayor says Scaffidi and council are too unstable to take on Subiaco residents March 1

Admits there are even more undisclosed overseas trips she has taken that are being probed March 3

Tells those worried about safety of Jacob's Ladder to "get a grip" and they deserve a "working over" for raising concerns about its future. It was closed indefinitely for urgent repairs soon after. Loading March 15

Attacks respected Nine News journalist Liam Bartlett on social media about his "botox" and "bad breath"

March 16

WA Premier says Scaffidi's reputation is damaged and calls for department to finalise investigation