UNKNOWN
FOR MEDIA20 February 1985
The talks with the Council of Procedural Specialists broke
down with no satisfactory solution.
It became apparent during the discussions that the specialists
had no real intention of reaching an agreement. They came
to Canberra simply to tear up Medicare.
It is absurd of them to pretend that there is some distinction
between the views of Dr Blewett and the Government's policy..
Both the Federal and NSW Governments are adamant that the basic
components of Medicare will remain undisturbed.
While we were prepared to enter negotiations on the previously
outlined basis, the specialists' position was directed towards
the destruction of Medicare.
Any other summary of the talks is a distortion of what occurred. 1,24
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