I can't keep up with Bob Hawke: WA premier

The West Australian premier says he's happy to see former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke in Perth ahead of the state election, but admitted he can't keep up with him on the beers.

Premier Colin Barnett said while he and Mr Hawke were on different political teams, the pair got on reasonably well.

"Just after I first became premier, one of the first events I went to was the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Bob was quite ecstatic I won the election," Mr Barnett told reporters on Sunday.

"He walked around with his arm around my shoulder the whole night and I said 'Bob I thought you were on the other side' and he said 'I am, but I thought you did well,' so there you go."

While Mr Hawke is in Perth to assist Labor in one last push towards Saturday's election, Mr Barnett confirmed he would be getting no such help from the current Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who visited once during the campaign.

Mr Barnett said he was unfazed by the decision.

"No that's fine. He came over and paid a visit, John Howard made a visit, a few federal ministers have come over, it's good, but this is a state campaign so we're running on our record as a state government."

Asked if he planned to see Mr Hawke for a drink ahead of the election, Mr Barnett said he didn't have the same stamina as the 87-year-old.

"I couldn't keep up with Bob," he joked.

Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten is expected to return to WA this week.