The global financial crisis, health funding and climate change are expected to dominate PM Kevin Rudd's talks with state and territory leaders in Perth on Thursday.
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting will be hosted by the odd man out: freshly elected West Australian Premier Colin Barnett will be the only Liberal among a coterie of Labor leaders.
Mr Rudd had expected ousted Labor premier Alan Carpenter to host the event, organised before last month's state election, but has pledged to work cooperatively with Mr Barnett.
The unfolding financial crisis and its implications for Australia is likely to be a hot topic for the leaders.
Victorian Premier John Brumby said he wants to discuss ways to shield Australian families from the fallout.
"Apart from measures already on the table, Mr Brumby wants to begin discussions around three key actions - cuts to interest rates, greater commonwealth involvement in infrastructure projects and extra help for first homebuyers," a spokesman for the premier said.
Mr Barnett has vowed to raise Australia's "confused" investment relationship with China, and voice concerns about Mr Rudd's plan for emissions trading.
NSW Premier Nathan Rees, who will be another new face at the COAG table, said he would push for federal health funding to be allocated on a per capita basis.
Mr Rees said funding arrangement changes were needed because NSW was being penalised by the grants commission.
Doctors called for an immediate $3 billion injection into public hospitals, ahead of the meeting.
Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Rosanna Capolingua said at least 3,750 beds plus the staff and infrastructure to support them were needed immediately.
Mr Rees said he also hoped to resolve NSW's dispute with Canberra over the computers in schools program.
The state is concerned about the high installation and maintenance costs it would have to cover for the computers.
"I'd be surprised if other states didn't have similar issues," Mr Rees said.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said she wanted to discuss climate change and energy efficiency.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann will push for ambitious targets to make buildings more energy efficient.
Mr Rann will also encourage better information sharing across Australian jurisdictions to help protect at-risk children.
Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett says he will be pushing for progress on renewable energy targets.
Changes to standardise lending practices across states and territories will be discussed at the meeting, according to Fairfax newspapers.
The leaders are also tipped to discuss federal plans to take control of aged care.
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