Labor, Liberal targets Albany hospital

The Albany Hospital has become the first battlefield in the state election with both the Labor and Liberal Parties trying to outdo each other with budgets and quicker schedules for a rebuild.

The Labor party will spend a reported $160 million on a complete rebuild of the hospital in a two stage development.

In a statement the Premier said more than $100 million would be spent on stage one of the project, doubling the state's original commitment to improve the facilities.

He said work on the hospital can get underway in October and expected the first stage to be finished in 2012, with stage two expected to be finished by 2015.

Meanwhile deputy opposition leader Kim Hames said the Liberal party will rebuild the hospital for a reported $135 million in a single stage inclusive of mental health facilities.

Mr Hames said the Liberals would be able to deliver the hospital three years before Labor.