If history had gone a different way, Australians might not have ever had access to Medicare and our world-leading healthcare system built on the principle of universal health care.
We certainly wouldn’t have it if not for the sustained campaigning efforts of unionists over many decades.
Thursday the 1st of February marked the 40th anniversary of Medicare, making now an important time to reflect on the efforts of unionists who not only won Medicare in 1984, but have fought to protect it ever since against relentless opposition from conservative politicians and private interests.
Building on the legacy of Whitlam-era policy
It was the Whitlam Government who introduced Australia’s first system of universal health care, called Medibank, in 1975.
Following the dismissal of the Whitlam government that same year, Medibank found itself in the crosshairs of the incoming Fraser Liberal Government.
While Fraser was successful in eventually dismantling Medibank in 1981, unionists nation-wide organised en masse to protect the system. The ACTU, led by their President and future Prime Minister Bob Hawke, organised a National Day of Action in 1976 where over two million unionists rallied to protect Medibank.
This was a galvanising action that inspired the implementation of Medicare as we know it today in 1984.
The Accord
In 1983, former ACTU President Bob Hawke was elected Prime Minister, leading the new Labor Government.
This government had an agreement with the union movement, known as the Accord. To tackle the spiralling inflation crisis of the time, the union movement agreed to wage restraint in return for what was known as a ‘social wage’.
As part of this agreement, unionists insisted on the restoration of universal healthcare. Health cover for workers was such a major priority that the ACTU even drew up its own Health Charter in 1983.
A new system of national healthcare was introduced by the Hawke government under a new name: Medicare!
Medicare: a union legacy
It’s thanks to the dedication of unionists over many years that we have Medicare today, a system that provides guaranteed health and medical care to every Australian with a Medicare card.
Medicare is one Australia’s greatest social achievements, but the principle that underlies the system is still anathema to conservative ideology, and as with any progressive social change, every generation has to fight the good fight anew.
Join the movement that will always work towards purposeful, positive social and political change. Fundamental rights that benefit generations of Australians.
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Medicare 40th Anniversary