The State Opposition has accused the Premier of wasting an opportunity to pressure Tony Abbott on the GST.

The federal Opposition Leader was full of praise for Colin Barnett at the Liberal Party's campaign rally yesterday, saying he hoped to model himself on the WA Premier if he becomes Prime Minister.

Mr Barnett has previously warned Mr Abbott he cannot expect financial support from WA if he doesn't commit to reforming the GST.

And, while he thanked the federal leader for his opposition to the mining tax, he did not appeal to him on the funding issue.

The shadow treasurer Ben Wyatt says he's not surprised.

"What does Mr Barnett do?" he asked.

"He becomes a puppy dog while his federal leader's here in town."

Mr Wyatt says it shows the Premier is not serious about pushing for reform.

He also criticised a Liberal promise to put another 155 nurses in schools, saying the party cannot be trusted to deliver on it.