Back in 1983 when Medicare launched in its current form, Liberal MP Michael Hodgman proclaimed that his party would not remain silent "while this government, by stealth, converts this country to a socialist republic". Medicare still stands. On the 30th anniversary of the 1983 Medicare Bill, Bob Hawke arrived at the Melbourne offices of the Australian Nursing Federation to a standing ovation from supporters wearing green and gold T-shirts declaring "Medicare is Labor". There was a giant Medicare card in the form of a lurid green cake bearing Bob Hawke's name and this retro television ad showing Mr Hawke in his younger days, filling out a form to enrol in the scheme and imploring others to do the same.