'Sweaty Navy lawyer' swipe insults McGowan

WA Labor leader Mark McGowan has accused a senior Turnbull government minister of insulting every Australian who has served in the military after he took a swipe at the opposition leader's Navy background.

Federal Social Services Minister Christian Porter spoke at the Liberal Party's state election campaign launch on Sunday and described Mr McGowan as a "junior, sweaty Navy lawyer".

"I think most people don't like that sort of politics," Mr McGowan told reporters on Monday.

"People who have served in the military deserve more respect than Mr Porter or Mr Barnett are showing and I think West Australians are sick of that sort of language.

"They don't have much of a record to stand on so they're getting very personal.

"What they've done is insult everyone who's ever worn a uniform. I think it was very inappropriate."