WA Governor Kim Beazley’s office has defended a $1.4 million budget boost to add staff to help meet new advocacy objectives which the opposition warns could threaten the position’s “long standing bi-partisanship”.

Mr Beazley, a former Federal Labor leader and ambassador to the US, was appointed Governor a little over a year ago and indicated from the start he would use his skills to further expand on the traditional responsibilities of the position.

This week’s budget revealed extra funding would go to the Governor during his term to employ extra staff to help meet “strategic advocacy and diplomacy outcomes” which include defence, trade, cultural development and tourism.

Opposition Leader Mike Nahan said the expansion of the role threatened a “longstanding tradition of bi-partisanship”.

“The Premier needs to outline the advocacy and diplomacy outcomes he is expecting from the Governor and why the Premier and his Ministers are incapable of achieving those outcomes,” he said.

“Premier Mark McGowan’s long association with Mr Beazley in his former role as a Labor politician adds further to the potential for the expanded role to become partisan.

“I have no doubt Mr Beazley has the necessary skills for the expanded role, however he already fulfils a demanding and important full-time role as Governor.”

A Governor’s Establishment spokeswoman said each Governor brought something different to the role based on their background but did not address concerns about whether Mr Beazley would be able to remain apolitical.

“Advocating for Western Australia’s interests will be a key focus of the Governor’s activities during his term, in addition to the traditional functions of the vice regal role,” she said.

“Earlier this year, the Governor released a Statement of Priorities to further outline the key themes that will inform his official program and achieve this vision.”

The Premier nominated Mr Beazley for the job and the latter said in his swearing in speech it was Mr McGowan who suggested he perform an advocacy role.

“A daunting but critical challenge,” he said.

Mr McGowan said WA needed more advocates on the national and international stage.

“He’s adopted the role of being an advocate for jobs in Western Australia, whether it’s defence, international education, lithium and that’s a good thing,” he said.