Barnett ‘put Jackman, footy first’

The Opposition believes Mr Barnett should have been in Sydney on the weekend, rather than seeing Matthew Pavlich achieve his 300th game for the Fremantle Dockers. Source: News Corp Australia

LABOR has lashed the WA premier for missing a crisis meeting of his state and territory counterparts to discuss the Federal Government's planned public hospital funding cuts.

The Opposition has also taken aim at Colin Barnett for saying the cuts won't kick in for several years, with WA hospitals facing a $196 million reduction in funding over four years from July 1. "Mr Barnett has been saying 'it's four years away, there's nothing to worry about'. This is not a problem that is a long way away in the future. This is on us now," WA opposition leader Mark McGowan told reporters today.

"There needs to be a sense of urgency about addressing this. Mr McGowan said Mr Barnett's non-attendance was "reprehensible and unforgivable", and his priorities were out of whack, given he reportedly attended a Hugh Jackman event and a football game (Matthew Pavlich's 300th game, against Geelong at Subiaco) instead.

"Originally, I thought it was just slackness and laziness. Now I think it's irresponsibility.

"He should have been on an aircraft to Sydney to argue the case for the state.

"This is going to impact people's lives."

Late today, the premier conceded that the Federal Government's planned public hospital funding cuts will start having an impact from July 1, but the state won't cover the shortfalls.

Mr Barnett has promised to instead the next Council of Australian Governments meeting.

Mr Barnett said he had "very good reasons" for skipping the Sydney gathering: GST distribution wasn't on the agenda and that is the key issue facing WA, so he will attend the next Council of Australian Governments meeting later this year, where it will be discussed before Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

There is "an unnecessary sense of panic" about the cuts, he added.

Mr Barnett previously said he was in no rush to discuss the health and education budget cuts because they wouldn't kick in for several years.

But today he admitted some impact would be felt, particularly in health, from the start of the new financial year. "There are some National Partnership Agreements that it appears the Commonwealth may not continue. If that is the case, they will finish - the state is not in a position to pick up that gap in funding," Mr Barnett said.

"Some of the states - NSW and Queensland in particularly - at previous COAG meetings did special deals with the Gillard government. They can hardly be surprised that those deals have disappeared." He flagged potential changes to eligibility for pensioner cards and health-care cards.

"Under the worst scenario, there would be $24 million less coming to WA. We would maintain our commitment, but we're not going to pick up any reduction in commonwealth entitlement." While he previously said Mr Abbott had not flagged the funding changes at the previous COAG meeting, he claimed the prime minister had foreshadowed states and territories taking increased responsibility for education and health.

Hugh Jackman at a star-studded launch of his foundation at the WA Aademy of Performing Arts on Saturday.

"Everyone agreed that was the way to go." According to Mr Barnett, Mr Abbott also said there would be some compensatory arrangements, with the Commonwealth taking on increased responsibilities in other areas.

While WA hospitals faced a $196 million funding cut over the next four financial years, the overall impact of the federal budget on the state was positive, including "a slightly better position on GST ... and some funding in particular areas"

Meanwhile, Federal opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King said it was extraordinary that the first time the state premiers heard about the "cruel" cuts was two hours before the budget was handed down. "It is a complete contempt of states and territories," Ms King said.

"It's a shame the Western Australian Premier doesn't appear to be as angry as the other states." Ms King said the federal government should not be funding the Medical Research Future Fund from the new Medicare co-payment and other savings to hospital and health spending.

She said Labor was committed to fighting the cuts.

● Should Mr Barnett have been in Sydney or Subi?

Opposition leader Mark McGowan says proposed national health cuts will affect West Australians soon.

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