Labor on WA hustings, slams Medicare idea

As West Australians prepare to return to the polls, Labor has appealed to their hip pockets, saying the Abbott government's planned changes to the Medicare system will only increase their high cost of living.

The government has flagged the possibility of co-payments of up to $6 for GP visits as one way to tackle health spending.

Opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King said on Thursday WA already had some of the nation's highest out-of-pocket expenses for attending a GP, with some Karratha doctors charging a gap payment of $85.

"Imagine what will happen to that if you add a co-payment, a tax from the Abbott government, on top of that," Ms King told reporters in Perth.

She said she believed the government would eventually abolish bulk billing.

Labor Senator Louise Pratt, who retained her seat after the initial Senate vote count but lost out in the recount, said health would be a major theme of the re-run election.

Ms Pratt took aim at the Liberal-led state government for its track record on health, eluding to cost blow-outs and delays in opening the new Fiona Stanley Hospital, and a reduction in beds at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

The WA government has also put a planned refurbishment of the ageing Royal Perth Hospital on the backburner.

"We've had massive cuts and delays," Ms Pratt told reporters.

"So we want ... to tell electors that it's only Labor that can be trusted."

Premier Colin Barnett admitted on Thursday that the Fiona Stanley problems had been frustrating, but said it would be a state-of-the-art facility.