Public sector standards commissioner Ruth Shean will soon lose her title after Premier Colin Barnett announced her oversight role would be merged with that of public sector commissioner Mal Wauchope.

The move, which Mr Barnett said would remove wasted overlap, will be overseen by another public servant moving jobs, director of public prosecutions Robert Cock, who will become special counsel to the Government.

But acting Opposition leader Roger Cook said abolishing Dr Shean's position would reduce accountability.

"(It) is a major step backwards," Mr Cook said.

"For all his talk of being open and accountable, (Mr) Barnett is presiding over a closed and increasingly secretive Government."

The office of public sector standards commissioner was established following the Royal Commission into WA Inc and ensured ethical and accountable behaviour in the bureaucracy, Mr Cook said.

"It is ludicrous to suggest that the new office of public sector commissioner, which answers directly to the Premier, will be independent and able to critically scrutinise the Government."

It followed moves by the Government to abolish the State Supply Commission, which oversees public sector spending.

That department has been absorbed into Treasury, one of the agencies it is supposed to monitor.