WA’s Opposition has made claims of nepotism after the Government made a new appointment.

Geoff Wedgwood has been appointed deputy director-general of State Development for a five-year term.

The Labor Opposition says Mr Wedgwood had failed to secure the Oakajee and Browse resource developments when previously engaged by the Government.

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said it was a “political" appointment, and just another case of “jobs for the boys”.

Premier Colin Barnett opened fire in response.

“Do you know him? You ever worked with him? Or you just take that biased, bigoted approach of the Labor Party?” he said during Question Time.

Mr Barnett said he had no involvement in the appointment.

He said his Government drew clear lines between public service appointments, and political term-of-government appointments.

The Premier said up to 30 senior public servants relinquished their positions when Labor came into power in 2001.

By contrast, Mr Barnett said, only one senior public servant resigned their position when Richard Court won government in 1993.

“It was this government that set up the Public Sector Commission, to ensure you will never get the abuse of public service position, as happened under the Labor government when they were elected,” he said.

The Opposition Leader asked the Premier if any other senior public sector positions would be filled before next year’s election.

Mr Barnett said the vacancy created by the resignation of the head of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Peter Conran, will not be filled until after the election.