Labor’s win in Saturday’s federal election heralds real change in health policy.

Although Labor had a small-target strategy, with limited big spending commitments, its victory represents a value shift to a party committed to equity and Medicare and, potentially, a style shift to a hands-on, equity-oriented Minister for Health.

Labor’s Opposition Minister for Health, Mark Butler, is expected to be the new health minister, subject to a reshuffle caused by two Labor Opposition ministers losing their seats.

Butler is very different from his predecessor. He was Australia’s first Minister for Mental Health and Ageing in the Gillard Government. He also held the equity-focused ministries of housing, homelessness and social inclusion.