This is the second in our two-part federal election series. Last week we looked at the pledges made by Opposition health spokeswoman Senator Anne Ruston.

When Mark Butler took over as health minister he had, like most of us, been witness to the way consultations on reforming Medicare — that stuff about making it fit for patients needing complex care — had ended up as Canberra landfill.

One that never touched the sides was Greg Hunt’s 10-year primary care plan, a thoughtful, coherent vision running to 60 pages that was unread by anyone of significance within the Morrison Government.

So during his first weeks, while warming the seat in his new office as federal health minister, Mr Butler offered reassurance that he was going to be about action.