Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is trying to mend his fractured relationship with doctors as Labor promises to fight another federal election campaign on health.
Mr Turnbull addressed the Australian Medical Association national conference on Saturday, the first prime minister to do so since Kevin Rudd in 2010.
He promised members of the powerful doctors' lobby to consult on all decisions, insisting there would be no more sudden changes or knee-jerk reactions.
It followed the government's recent backdown on the Medicare rebate freeze that almost cost Mr Turnbull the 2016 federal election, with the May budget outlining a plan to gradually lift the unpopular policy.
"This year's budget has restored the sense of goodwill with the AMA and government because it reaffirms our commitment to health," Mr Turnbull told the conference in Melbourne.
"There will be no sudden changes, no knee-jerk reactions, only clear, consistent decision making in consultation with you."
Relations between the coalition and medical professionals has been fractured since the Abbott government's 2014 budget, when it caused outrage by proposing a GP co-payment it was quickly forced to scrap.
The freeze was set to last until 2020 but will now be phased out over several years following a fierce campaign from doctors and Labor's so-called "Mediscare" campaign.
Mr Turnbull sought to reassure doctors the unpopular health measures had been scrapped.
He announced $10 million towards the development of a new therapy to allow children with peanut allergies to incorporate peanuts into their diet.
"We've listened and we've acted," he said.
"Doctors, medical professionals of Australia, can expect a considered and calm approach to policy from my government."
The prime minister's bid to clear the air with doctors followed Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's attempt on Friday to reignite his Medicare attack, accusing the government of trying to buy doctors' silence.
"It's like cash for no comment," he said of the government's thawing of the rebate freeze.
Labor has released independent costings from the Parliamentary Budget Office showing the government will save $2.2 billion by not immediately lifting the freeze.
The government was trying to spend the minimum amount to get healthcare issues off the agenda, Mr Shorten said, suggesting health will remain at the forefront of Labor's attack at the next election.
