"We've been very plain in the fact that we want to see the maximum delivery of front-line services in local hospitals by doctors and nurses and an absolute minimum of health bureaucracy," he said in Tasmania yesterday.

"We make no apology for the fact that we want overall less health bureaucrats and more front-line services in local hospitals from doctors, from nurses and those who make local hospitals work on the ground."

Mr Rudd was speaking during a tour of the University of Tasmania's Menzies Research Institute before introducing Premier David Bartlett at state Labor's election campaign launch.

He avoided confirming that jobs could be lost in the proposed shake-up that would see the Federal Government taking over responsibility for hospitals and primary health services.

"We are absolutely confident that what will happen as a result of the national hospitals and health network is an expansion of front-line services right across the nation," he said.

"Nobody anywhere in Australia wants to see an expansion of health bureaucrats - what they do want to see is an expansion of frontline services."

He said that the Tasmanian Liberals could ask for a briefing on his Government's health plans, as could any interested group across the country as he and his ministers travelled nationally to sell the reforms in the next few weeks.

Mr Rudd said the timing of the health reforms announcement had nothing to do with a federal election expected to be called later this year.

"What I have always said is that we, the Australian Government, will put this plan to the states and territories ... if states and territories reject it then we will seek a further mandate from the people," he said.

READ MORE STATE ELECTION: Pages 4 and 5