Politicians are defending a push for more pay, with one MP saying higher salaries might draw better people to politics.

The Western Australian Salaries and Allowances Tribunal has heard submissions in a review of an increase in pay for WA MPs. Currently federal MPs earn about $190,000 per year, state politicians' average salaries are around $149,000, the tribunal ruled to close that gap with a 2.6 per cent pay rise for State members.

WA Education Minister Peter Collier says, “From my perspective, when I went into politics, the money wasn't an issue... but, I will say we've got to be mindful of the fact that if we're going to attract people to the profession of politics we have to look at salaries."

A State Opposition member says he's not surprised frontbenchers are looking for a little extra in their pay-packets, Shadow Treasurer Ben Wyatt says a recent decision in increase other staffers pay may have lead to some politicians feeling left out.

“It sounds like they're concerned about Colin Barnett increasing his personal staff by tens of thousands of dollars at a time when he's demanding austerity from the public sector,” Wyatt said.