WA popular for re-run election

Labor has accused the Abbott Government of using taxpayers' money to hold a special Cabinet meeting in Perth that was more about campaigning for the Senate re-run election.

But the Government says the ALP did almost exactly the same with trips to Perth on the public purse during the campaign.

Almost $40,000 was spent on public servants from just three departments for airfares, taxis, accommodation and food to attend the March 31 Cabinet meeting and an extended expenditure review committee meeting.

The costs do not include spending on MPs, their personal staff and other departments.

The meetings were the week before WA voters went to the polls in an election in which Labor lost one of its four WA senators as its primary vote fell to just 21.5 per cent. Eight officials from the Prime Minister's department went to Perth, with two each from Treasury and Finance.

To questions on notice, senior Government minister Eric Abetz said a "range of meetings" were scheduled so Tony Abbott could be present to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and discuss the MH370 disappearance.

However, the Cabinet meeting was held on the night of a major Liberal fundraiser in Perth.

Business elites paid up to $5000 a head for the dinner organised well before it was confirmed Mr Razak would be in Perth.

Labor's waste watch committee chairman Pat Conroy said Mr Abbott had to explain why taxpayers should pay for a Cabinet meeting that appeared to be organised around a party fundraiser.

In Opposition, the coalition ditched Labor's practice of holding community Cabinet meetings when the public could quiz ministers.

A spokesman for Mr Abbott said flying Labor frontbench MPs to Perth on "official business" just before the April 5 poll cost $40,000 on airfares, transport and allowances.