West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has denounced a privately funded poll suggesting his government is set to lose next year's state election, labelling it an act of disloyalty.

Key points: Poll suggests Barnett Government set to lose 10 seats and election

Poll suggests Barnett Government set to lose 10 seats and election Transport Minister Dean Nalder handed results, denies disloyalty

Transport Minister Dean Nalder handed results, denies disloyalty Treasurer, Ministers join Premier in condemning group behind poll

The poll was funded by a group of prominent Perth business figures who are Liberal supporters, including WA financier John Poynton and property developers Nigel Satterley and Greg Poland.

The survey of more than 10,000 voters found Labor would easily pick up the 10 seats it needs to win the March state election, with Treasurer Mike Nahan's electorate of Riverton the only one of 11 Liberal seats polled that would not change hands.

However the survey found the Government's prospects were much better if it swapped leaders.

The ABC understands the group of business figures favour Transport Minister Dean Nalder to take over the Liberal leadership.

"The Reachtel Poll is an act of self interest. It is also an act of disloyalty to the Government and myself as the Premier of WA," Mr Barnett said in a statement.



"I am deeply concerned that business interests are seeking to interfere in the processes of Government.

Treasurer Mike Nahan also slammed the poll as "a clear attempt to affect the leadership of the Government" by businessmen with "commercial interests at stake".

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But Mr Nalder repeatedly refused to say whether he knew the survey was being conducted, and denied he had been disloyal.

"I have had nothing to do with the commissioning of the polling or the conducting of the poll," Mr Nalder said.

"I understand that there's a lot more people than John (Poynton) involved in it. I don't know all of those involved."

Poynton defends poll, admits Nalder given results

Mr Poynton denied he was trying to undermine Mr Barnett or promote Mr Nalder's leadership prospects, saying he was concerned about the direction WA was heading and pointing to the level of state debt and increased government fees and charges.

John Poynton has defended the polling, saying voters are worried. ( ABC News )

"We don't pull the levers," Mr Poynton told ABC 720 Perth.

"It just sort of seemed to us that the rhetoric coming out of the Government was either denial or really a lack of concern that was matched by the people I was talking to.

"We're saying wake up ... we're not saying you need to do anything about the leadership per se, we're saying the public is actually concerned and they're looking for a new story."

He admitted passing the polling results to Mr Nalder and "a number of people who are going to be directly affected".

"Now, sure, maybe I should have gone to see Colin. But I think given what Colin's being saying about his view of the state of affairs, I don't really think it would have gone very far," he said.

'Not for sale': Senior Liberals join poll criticism

Dr Nahan characterised the poll as "improper behaviour", saying Mr Poynton had commercial interests in the electricity business and the Government had introduced reforms to his disadvantage.

"This is interference in the process of selection of leadership of this Government and of the state by a select group of businessmen, all who have commercial interests at stake, and they should not have done this behaviour," he said.

Dean Nalder has refused to say if he knew the poll was being conducted. ( ABC News: Andrew O'Connor )

Deputy Premier Liza Harvey and Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis also rounded on those involved in the polling.

"The beliefs, the platforms, the policies of the Liberal Party are not for sale. And if anyone thinks … they can put undue pressure on either the partyroom or the policies or beliefs of the Liberal Party, they have got it horribly wrong," Mr Francis said.

Ms Harvey said the survey reflected badly on "everyone involved", but would not be drawn on whether Mr Barnett should sack Mr Nalder.

"That's the Premier's call. I haven't had a conversation with the Premier with respect to this matter at this point in time," she said.

"But what I will say is there is an appropriate level of interaction between Government and business and this has overstepped the mark."

Others to fall behind Mr Barnett included Attorney-General Michael Mischin, Mental Health Minister Andrea Mitchell, Carine MP Tony Krsticevic and Mt Lawley MP Michael Sutherland, who according to the survey is due to lose his seat.