WA premier's son faces Qld court

His mum's not happy but the son of West Australia Premier Colin Barnett is confident property damage charges against him will be dropped.

Sam Barnett, 26, faced Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday after a fight with his 21-year-old girlfriend Melissa Garbin, while holidaying on the Gold Coast.

Police were called to their hotel room about 3am on Monday after yelling was heard and Barnett spent an hour in a holding cell.

After appearing in court Barnett said the charges, which are classified as a domestic violence matter under Queensland law, related to him damaging a laptop during an argument.

Earlier Barnett told Perth radio 6PR the fight involved smashing each other's laptops and a mobile phone after Ms Garbin discovered text messages on his phone from another woman.

Speaking after a brief appearance in a closed court, Barnett said he was yet to speak to his father about the matter.

"Dad probably believes I'm capable of looking after myself," Barnett said outside court.

"I've spoken to mum and mum's not thrilled."

Barnett, a property developer, noted that none of the charges against him related to any physical violence by either himself or Ms Garbin.

"The police have been wonderful to work with and together we're coming up with a just outcome," he said.