West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says he won't fall into line with federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's view on asylum seekers.
But the WA Liberal leader says he does believe Australia needs tougher border protection policies and to take a stronger line on asylum seekers.
"There's no doubt a change in policy that's happened under the federal Labor government has coincided with a dramatic increase of attempted passages to Australia," Mr Barnett told Fairfax Radio on Tuesday.
"Seventy-five boats this year is an extraordinary number and who knows how many set out and didn't make it."
Currently there are more than 500 asylum seekers being housed in detention centres and alternative accommodation in WA, with 320 single males staying at the Curtin Immigration Detention Centre in Derby.
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In the Goldfields town of Leonora, a three-hour drive north of Kalgoorlie, 158 asylum seekers, including children, are being housed in a disused mining camp. Considering the temperatures these areas reach during summer, Mr Barnett said these sites were not ideal.
The premier said although he did believe in a stronger and clearer policy on asylum seekers to ensure an orderly process, he would not necessarily echo Tony Abbott's view.
"I don't know what Tony Abbott is going to say. I don't fall into line with anyone," Mr Barnett said.
"I will think through the issues myself as will the state government. "It's primarily a federal issue, but WA is the front line.
It's our coastline (they're arriving at); Ashmore Reef and Rowley Shoals, they're WA pieces of land."
