Dodson a likely Shorten cabinet minister

Bill Shorten has hinted he'll elevate West Australian indigenous leader Pat Dodson to cabinet if Labor wins the May 18 election.

"We've got processes in the party that I will need to go through but all things being equal I expect there would be a West Australian in cabinet," Mr Shorten told The West Australian ahead of campaigning in Perth on Wednesday.

"We've still got to win the election (but) I am a big fan of Patrick Dodson."

No West Australian is a member of the current Labor shadow cabinet.