West Australian Premier Colin Barnett will keep his job after a leadership spill motion put to a Liberal partyroom meeting failed to get enough support.

Key points: Leadership spill motion was defeated 31-15

Leadership spill motion was defeated 31-15 Vote followed claims of instability, lack of direction, "bullying and intimidation"

Vote followed claims of instability, lack of direction, "bullying and intimidation" Mr Barnett admits some see him as a divisive leader but the vote was a "strong convincing win"

The motion was defeated 31 votes to 15 at the meeting, which Mr Barnett said had been both "therapeutic" and "overdue".

The motion was brought by backbencher Murray Cowper, who said instability and a lack of direction within the party needed to be addressed.

Mr Cowper's move to initiate a spill followed the resignations of Transport Minister Dean Nalder and Local Government Minister Tony Simpson from Cabinet, and claims from former mental health minister Helen Morton of "bullying and intimidation" emanating from the Premier's office.

Those four, along with Morley MP Ian Britza, had all publicly declared they no longer supported the Premier.

In a show of support outside the meeting, Mr Barnett, Deputy Premier Liza Harvey and Education Minister Peter Collier all addressed the media.

Mr Barnett said there had been a full discussion following the vote, including about the events of the weekend and on his style of leadership.

"There was nothing that was left untouched, it was full and open and that was a healthy thing to happen," he said.

"Everyone has agreed to stand behind the leadership."

Time to move on: Premier

Mr Nalder says he has no interest in future leadership challenges. ( ABC News: Jessica Strutt )

Mr Barnett conceded he had been viewed in some quarters as a divisive leader

"I think sometimes because I like to get on with the job and deal with issues quickly, maybe people think I don't listen enough. I accept that criticism."

He said the vote had been a "strong, convincing win", and although all issues had not been resolved in the subsequent discussion, it was time for the party to "lick their wounds and get on with it".

"I take some comfort that it was more than two to one in supporting myself as leader and Premier," Mr Barnett said.

"I don't know what the actual numbers of support for Dean Nalder would have been.

"I suspect there would have been some members who voted for a spill but probably would have voted for me in a leadership contest."

He said he had been buoyed by a weekend newspaper poll that suggested the party's electoral chances were on par with Labor's, and he believed the chances of winning next year's election were 50-50.

Mr Collier said the "overwhelming majority of the party" had supported the "visionary, dynamic" Premier.

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"By the end of the meeting, every man and woman in the room were united in the prospect of facing the electorate in March of 2017 and mindful of the fact and enthusiastic that we can win this thing," he said.

Announcing the result, Liberal Party secretary Brian Ellis said there had been no discussion prior to the partyroom vote.

"I think it's a clear indication of the strong support for our leader and we will progress now as a united team with everyone falling into place," he said.

"There was not a shutting down. There was a motion and as most spill motions happen, they are dealt with very quickly."

Outside the meeting, Mr Nalder, who said he would challenge for the leadership if the spill motion was passed, said Mr Barnett was "the captain of the team" and he had no interest in challenging him again in the future.

He congratulated the Premier on the result of the vote.

"My role has always been to seek the best way forward for the Liberal Party," he said.

"I congratulate the Premier on retaining it. He has a great track record of eight years."

Barnett 'master of own situation'

Labor Leader Mark McGowan said Mr Barnett had brought the party disunity on himself through his leadership style, pointing to the 10 former ministers sitting on his backbench.

"He's the master of his own situation, he's the architect of the situation he's got himself into," Mr McGowan said.

"The only way to get a change and get rid of all this poison and dysfunction is to change the government and that's what we're offering the people of WA."