Questions without notice and ministers statements
Payroll tax
Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:02): My question is to the Minister for Health. For two days now the minister has been saying in the house that in relation to the government’s decision to charge retrospective tax on tenant GPs absolutely nothing has changed. Why are medical clinics now receiving backdated tax bills for their doctors for the first time?
Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Medical Research) (14:02): I thank the member for her question. The answers that I have given yesterday and the day before still stand: there has been no change to the legislation as it pertains to payroll tax and how it is applied to medical practices.
Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:03): Dr Ahsan Hussain, a GP in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, told the media yesterday his medical clinic has received a backdated tax bill for nearly $500,000. Why is this government forcing Dr Hussain to pay nearly $500,000 in backdated tax for the first time?
Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Medical Research) (14:03): Once again I will make the point that when it comes to payroll tax legislation in this state, nothing has changed. That is the end of the answer, because I have now given it on numerous occasions.