WA Libs look at return to Barnett to replace Birney

A group of Western Australian Liberal Party heavyweights are reportedly planning to replace current leader Matt Birney with his predecessor Colin Barnett.

News Limited newspapers say senior state Liberals are believed to have met this week to plan the ousting, tipped to happen at the next party meeting on March 28.

Mr Barnett resigned as leader last year after losing the February state election.

Mr Birney says his leadership is secure following the sacking of shadow attorney-general Sue Walker, who publicly criticised him for not consulting her before pushing policy ideas.

News Ltd says the core group wanting Mr Barnett back in the top job includes former Birney backer MP Norman Moore, party vice-president Mathias Corman, and shadow minister Peter Colloier.

Colin Barnett himself, said that he was happy to stay on the back bench and let someone new have a go.

"I had my chance at the last election and it didn't work out as expected," he said.

He also added that he didn't believe there would be a leadership spill.