Federal Liberal Party criticism of counter-terrorism expert and Labor candidate Anne Aly was inappropriate and backfired during the federal election campaign, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has said.

The State Opposition used Parliamentary debate on a counter-terrorism bill to demand an apology from WA federal MPs Michael Keenan and Julie Bishop, and WA Senator Mathias Cormann, for their criticism of Dr Aly during her ultimately successful campaign for the federal seat of Cowan.

A pioneer of anti-radicalisation programs in Australia, Dr Aly was accused by the Liberal MPs of lending support to extreme Islamic preacher Junaid Thorne.

The Liberal criticisms centred on Dr Aly's decision to write a submission to a New South Wales court ahead of the sentencing of Thorne for taking flight under a false name.

Dr Aly suggested Thorne could be a candidate for her deradicalisation program, which is funded by the federal Attorney-General's department.

Mr Keenan described Ms Aly's submission as "poor judgement".

WA Opposition defence spokesman Paul Papalia said the criticism of Dr Aly was "cowardly" and "disgraceful."

Mr Papalia also criticised Mr Barnett for not speaking out against the criticism, claiming Mr Barnett was aware of Dr Aly's extensive work in developing a program to discourage radicalisation of young Muslims in Australia.

Speaking to reporters today, Mr Barnett said he had not met and did not personally know Dr Aly but said "she strikes me as a very decent person".

Mr Barnett said he did not agree with the tactics used against Dr Aly in her campaign against the sitting Liberal member Luke Simpkins.

"I don't think that campaign tactic was the right thing to do, but it's a federal campaign and I have had no involvement in it at all," he said.

"It didn't work. If anything it backfired."

Mr Barnett did not believe the federal Liberal MPs involved owed her an apology.

He said having won the election for the seat of Cowan, she could pursue the matter if she wished.

"She's now a federal member of Parliament. If she feels aggrieved she can raise it herself."