PM visits WA's north after Lib conference

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is continuing his West Australian visit after addressing the Liberal state conference in Perth, where he praised Canning candidate Andrew Hastie.

Mr Abbott told the party faithful on Saturday the best way to honour Don Randall, the Liberal MP who held Canning for 15 years before his sudden death last month, was to retain his seat.

The prime minister later told reporters he had been informed Captain Hastie led SAS troops who cut the hands off Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, before the matter emerged in media reports.

Mr Hastie told the conference he was literally not on the ground at the time and the troops believed they were acting appropriately, also suggesting it had been done for identification purposes.

He said all bar one of the troops had been cleared following an inquiry and the remaining soldier should have his case concluded as soon as possible.

Mr Abbott briefly visited Dawesville in the Canning electorate with Mr Hastie on Saturday afternoon before flying to the state's north.

It's understood he attended a Liberal fundraiser in Broome and will travel to Kununurra on Sunday.

He'll then spend the week in the Torres Strait and Cape York region.