Days before Christmas, the Treasurer announced a major change to his patient’s tax.
This came after pressure from doctors, patients, and the Opposition.
Despite the Treasurer last year saying there were no changes to the scope, practice or approach to taxing GPs in Queensland, the Government has issued a public statement saying that the collection of payroll tax on GPs would now be ‘limited’.
Removing the five-year backdating of payroll tax does not change the fact that the Treasurer is now interpreting the law differently.
This new tax piles the pressure on already overburdened GPs.
They’re living through covid burnout, bulk billing decline and GP scarcity.
In Greater Brisbane, fewer than 30% of GPs offer bulk billing services.
Regional Queensland is also running out of bulk billing doctors.
This new tax will also drive more Queenslanders to our already over-stretched emergency departments.
We’ve seen this from the Treasurer before.
In the middle of a housing crisis, he proposed a renters’ tax.
In the middle of a health crisis, he is proposing a patients’ tax.
All this is set against a full blown cost of living crisis.
The Treasurer proves time and time again that he doesn’t listen or consult.
He fundamentally fails to understand how his tax decisions impact the lives of everyday Queenslanders.
ENDS