Western Australian Labor leader in waiting, Mark McGowan, says some decisions by the federal government have hurt his party's chances at a state level.
Mr McGowan will officially take over the leadership on Monday following Eric Ripper's resignation yesterday because of poor polling and a lack of support from the Labor caucus.
Speaking to reporters today, Mr McGowan said he would not shy away from fighting the federal government on issues that would affect WA.
He said the Labor government had made it difficult for their WA counterparts to succeed politically.
"They have, at times, not connected in West Australia (but) I think they are making efforts," Mr McGowan said.
The GST review was one area that Mr McGowan said was a positive move by the federal government and that he hoped would lead to a better deal for WA.
Mr McGowan said he would also work to get the best deal for WA regarding the carbon tax.
"The carbon tax has passed the federal parliament. Nothing I say or do will undo that, but I do believe in climate change. I think it's real," he said.
Mr McGowan said the mining tax was also passed and he did not think federal opposition leader Tony Abbott would repeal it if he were elected prime minister.
"The most important thing we can do is this - get our fair share of the infrastructure fund that is part of that mining tax package and that means we should get 60 per cent of the contribution to that infrastructure fund," he said.
Mr McGowan said he had received positive feedback from people in the community about his imminent leadership takeover and had never been so well recognised before.
However, he said he would not set an "artificial deadline" for himself to improve polling results for Labor ahead of the 2013 election.
Mr McGowan admitted that with just one year before the election, and with many West Australians not knowing much about him personally, he would have to work hard to gain the community's trust and sell his policies.
He said he would also spend a lot of time in regional areas, which was a critical area for Labor.
Mr McGowan said he would discuss preselection ideas with his party, but would not be "heavy-handed" about it.
He said he would also remain on good terms with faction leaders, Joe Bullock and Dave Kelly, because it would be "silly" for him not to talk to everyone in his party.
"I'm not a factional player, never have been. I'm not much good at it, but I'll make decisions in the public interest," Mr McGowan said.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive James Pearson welcomed the change of leadership and said it was an opportunity for the party to look at its outdated policies.
"The state Labor Party has the opportunity to develop more business-friendly policies that will encourage private sector investment and the wealth and job creation that will bring," he said.
Mr Pearson said the party should look at its policy on Sunday trading.
Mr McGowan said that while he would not make any policy announcements until next week, he was focused on easing the cost of living, especially for families.
