Barnett asks Big Issue vendor for change

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has been filmed during an awkward moment, asking a Big Issue vendor to hand him change.

As the Liberal leader left the ABC studios in East Perth on Thursday, Mr Barnett bought a $7 magazine but waited after handing the seller Tina two $5 notes.

She told him "I'll talk to you again in the near future with the next edition", he replied "OK, are you going to give me my $3 change?" - then they both laughed and she handed it over.

Opposition treasury spokesman Ben Wyatt accused Mr Barnett of being "a cheapskate".

"That is one of the most mean-spirited performances I've had the displeasure of watching," he told reporters.

After the video emerged on social media, The Big Issue instead tweeted about WA Labor leader Mark McGowan, who bought a magazine from the same vendor on Wednesday with a $20 note and told her to keep the change.

The charity for homeless and disadvantaged people also issued a statement saying it was pleasing the premier had supported Tina by buying a magazine, as he had in the past.

"The magazine costs $7, which is what we expect readers to pay," the statement read.

"We encourage vendors to offer change to every customer."

During the earlier radio interview, Mr Barnett was asked about speculation surrounding his leadership after a Perth property developer claimed a spill had been planned for Tuesday, but that didn't eventuate.

"This was the leadership challenge that never was and never happened. There was nothing to it," he said.