Govt has secret plan for co-payment: Labor

Labor believes the federal government is planning to bypass a hostile Senate and introduce its controversial GP co-payment via the back door.

The opposition has seized on an email the Department of Human Services sent to software companies telling them to make changes to accommodate the $7 charge.

It claims that is proof the government will implement the measure without legislation, in defiance of parliament and public opinion.

The government recently used tariff regulations to reintroduce indexation of the fuel excise, a move that needs parliamentary approval within 12 months.

All non-government parties oppose the co-payment as do health groups, including the Australian Medical Association.

Opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King says the government was trying to introduce the GP co-payment by stealth.

Treasurer Joe Hockey refused to say if the government would go down the regulation path.

"I'm not speculating on what the outcome is," he told ABC radio on Thursday.

However, he attacked Labor for "walking away from everything" in his budget.

"I would say to the Labor party this: you created the mess, why not have a shot at giving us a hand to fix it?"