Navy photo controversy overblown: McGowan

WA opposition leader Mark McGowan says the controversy surrounding the use of military photos in Liberal Andrew Hastie's and now his own campaign material is overblown.

But Mr McGowan also points out a 9cm by 7.5cm photo of his navy days in WA Labor's "Fresh Ideas for WA" pamphlet is small compared to Mr Hastie's 2016 federal election campaign material, which included billboards and caused him to be ousted from the Army Reserve.

"The photo that was there was fairly small and I'm not too worried about it," Mr McGowan told reporters on Thursday.

"I'm proud of my service in the military and I think people are interested to know what your background is if you want to be the premier of the state.

"I don't think it needs to be overblown more than that."

Mr McGowan said he was called by a Defence spokeswoman after a media organisation pointed out the navy photo.

"I haven't agreed not to do it again but I'm certainly not doing any great big billboards," he said.

The Labor leader is an inactive reserve, which means he's available to be called up for service if required.