WA Deputy Premier Liza Harvey insists Colin Barnett's leadership is on firm ground despite the state treasurer admitting there are negative rumblings among some Liberals.
On the eve of the Liberal Party's strategic "love-in" meeting in the northern suburb of Joondalup on Tuesday, Treasurer Mike Nahan said: "We need to resolve this so we can go forward as a united team, which we largely are.
"I just encourage the people who are unsettling the team to get on and focus on the real job of winning the next election."
But Ms Harvey says leadership speculation inevitably swirls when a government has been in power for a long time.
"When you've been in government for seven-and-a-bit years as we have, that will always occur," she said.
"It's difficult to try and contain that because human beings, being as they are, most people like to have something to say from time to time.
"But with respect to the premier's leadership, it's sound, it's secure and he's supported by the party."
Mr Barnett has long maintained he will retire towards the end of his third term if he wins the state election in March.
