Labor is gearing up for a repeat of its controversial Mediscare campaign, with opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King declaring that Australia's universal healthcare system would be under threat if the Coalition wins the coming federal election.

In her first speech to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Ms King stood by the party's 2016 approach, which has been criticised for claiming that the government was planning to privatise Medicare.

"I make absolutely no apologies whatsoever for belling the cat on that issue," Ms King said on Wednesday.

Labor health spokeswoman Catherine King and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten are gearing up for Mediscare 2.0. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

"We will campaign on Medicare in the coming months because it is core business for us. Philosophically, it's at the centre of everything the modern Labor Party stands for."