Consistency and consensus in Labor's health policy

An examination of the consistent themes in Labor's health policies since 1970, particularly Medibank & the Hayden Health plan. Contrast this with the consistency of goals in Liberal health policy which have returned Australia to the 1970 starting point and the tortuous contradictory path pursued by Federal Liberal Government between 1976 and 1981. Illustrates the pursuit of consensus by Labor in the accommodations inherent in the Labor health plan with private fee-for-service medicine, private hospitals and the private health funds. Contrast this with the inflexible Liberal determination to return to the status quo ante-Medibank. Finally contrast the present Australian polarisation with the degree of consensus achieved in Canada around the Medicare programme.