Barnett unhappy at deficit tax prospect

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett says he's unimpressed at the prospect of a deficit tax levy and says most taxpayers would feel the same way.

The Liberal leader said it remained to be seen whether the levy would be in the May 13 budget, which comes five days after the state budget is handed down.

But as a taxpayer, he was "not excited" by the idea.

"I think most taxpayers would be not very impressed," Mr Barnett told ABC radio on Wednesday.

"I think they expect governments to manage their own affairs.

"I hope if it is imposed, it is only for a very short period of time. We already pay enough tax."

He declined to comment on whether such a levy would constitute a broken promise by the federal government, which pledged no surprises and hung its election campaign on Labor's "big bad taxes".

"People can argue (that), but it's certainly a new tax," Mr Barnett said.

The federal government had "inherited a big financial problem", he added.