Article excerpt:

A MEETING yesterday between Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Victorian Premier John Brumby failed to make progress on ending the health reform deadlock, despite both sides describing the talks as constructive. In contrast with the Prime Minister's frosty treatment of NSW Premier Kristina Keneally in Sydney on Friday, yesterday Mr Rudd and Mr Brumby went out of the way to avoid attacking each other after their 1 1/2-hour meeting in Melbourne.