WA government is a 'mini-me' of Abbott

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says the troubled West Australian government is a "mini-me" version of Tony Abbott's administration, as he begins Labor's Senate election campaign in Perth.

With Premier Colin Barnett beset with problems, the latest being the resignation of treasurer Troy Buswell after a mental breakdown, Labor said Mr Abbott was modelling his government on that of Mr Barnett.

The WA Liberals have copped criticism for cuts to the education budget and recent job losses, and Mr Shorten urged voters to show their disenchantment on April 5.

"West Australians are very concerned about the cuts to education and healthcare in WA," he said. "There is a real opportunity to send a clear message to Tony Abbott that West Australians don't like the cuts that Colin Barnett is doing.

"Tony Abbott, with a twinkle in his eye, said he wanted his government wanted to be the sort of government the Barnett government is.

"The Barnett government is a mini-me version of the Abbott government, and what West Australians want is a strong Senate that is not focused on agreeing with Tony Abbott."

The resignation of Mr Buswell, after police were called to a late-night collision between his government car and the security gates at his home, dominates Perth's political conversation.

Standing beside Mr Shorten, WA Labor leader Mark McGowan said the Liberals' troubles in WA would affect the Senate election.

"It is clear the (Barnett) government is in chaos," he said. "We have a shambolic government in WA - there have been crisis after crisis.

"When you have a chaotic and dysfunctional state government, it can't help the (federal) Liberal party when they said they are going to model themselves on the same state government."