Updated October 04, 2017 12:56:28

Photo: Liberal MP Kyran O'Donnell with deputy leader Liza Harvey in Kalgoorlie. (ABC News)

WA Liberal Party members are stacking up against the Labor Government's proposed gold royalty hike, according to newly elected Member for Kalgoorlie Kyran O'Donnell.

The move comes as gold mining heavyweights descend on Perth for a roundtable discussion to intensify pressure on MPs ahead of Parliament's return next week, where the issue is expected to dominate and a vote on the increase looms.

If Mr O'Donnell is right, it makes for a major headache for the State Government which needs the Liberal Party's support to ensure the tax hike survives, because the Nationals and crossbench oppose it.

The Liberal MP, and former policeman, is confident the party will choose to block the hike if it votes on the measure during its partyroom meeting on Tuesday.

"Of course, if I go in there half-hearted, it's like a game of football, I'm going to get hurt," Mr O'Donnell said.

"I've got to go in there confident."

Mr O'Donnell is standing with the WA gold sector, which has argued the royalty increase would cost jobs, force mines to close and hinder future exploration — conclusions the McGowan Government rubbished as a "scare campaign".

Photo: The gold sector says the royalty hike will force up to 10 mines to close.
(AAP: Kim Christian)

The member for Kalgoorlie said his confidence was not simple optimism, but based on dialogue from within the party and conversations with colleagues.

"I've still got to speak to other members, to ensure that they're with me, and I've had a couple of them contact me to say, 'Yep can we have a yarn'," Mr O'Donnell said.

"I'm confident that we will oppose this."

"If we need to make a decision, I'm ready to go."

Liberal leader Mike Nahan has repeatedly said the party would not be "rushed" into a position.

"The party room will make a decision once all sides have been heard," Dr Nahan said.

A Liberal Party spokesperson said a vote was not on Tuesday's agenda, but the hike would certainly be discussed.

If Mr O'Donnell's prediction is borne out, the McGowan Government would be left scrambling to fill a $392 million budget black hole.

But regardless of Liberal Party doubt, the Government does intend to push ahead with the proposal, after Treasurer Ben Wyatt said he wanted the matter dealt with as soon as possible.

Topics: tax, gold, kalgoorlie-6430

First posted October 04, 2017 08:57:02