WA MP whinges on the way out

An outgoing West Australian government MP has complained about his state missing out on a submarine building contract saying it was a "blatant case of pork barrelling" for South Australia.

Liberal Party preselectors denied Dennis Jensen another tilt as the candidate for the seat of Tangney.

In what could be his last week as a federal MP in Canberra, Dr Jensen told reporters he was yet to make up his mind whether to run as an independent candidate.

During a bitter preselection battle, extracts from a novel he wrote containing graphic sex scenes were publicly leaked.

Asked whether he might continue to pursue fiction writing, Dr Jensen laughed and said it was an option.

Dr Jensen criticised the decision to build the next fleet of submarines in South Australia, questioning whether it would be be cheaper and in the national interest to build them in France.

"Adelaide, quite frankly, should be the last place that you would construct submarines," he said.

WA-based shipbuilder Austal was the best in the country, Mr Jensen said.

Leading the charge on axing the carbon tax and starting a nuclear debate were his greatest achievements as a MP, he said.

Dr Jensen called for financial restraint, ahead of Tuesday's budget.

"It really is time we stop with these Mickey Mouse programs and trying to buy votes," he said.

He hit out at the attacks on superannuation concessions for high income earners, saying people should be encouraged to contribute as much as possible.

"We rely on people to support their own retirement," Dr Jensen said.