Tuesday, 29 August 2023

Payroll tax

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (13:34): I am concerned about the government’s tax grab from GPs and other health professionals. This is going to have huge ramifications for Victorian patients right across the state. We all know that Victoria is broke. We all know and read with concern about the increasing debt that Victoria is in today. It is projected by Moody’s that by 2026–27 – that is just a few years away – Victoria’s total debt will amount to $226 billion. Now, these figures are huge; they are massive. But to go and hit health professionals that are looking after Victorian patients is not going to help our health system.

And I note the comments by Dr Nicole Higgins, who is the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president, who said payroll tax was a ‘tax on patients’ and would lead to more pressure mounting on hospitals and ambulances as people forgo primary care. This is a patient tax. It is a health tax. It is a tax grab because Victoria is broke. It is incredibly alarming that while other states are looking at this issue and addressing it Victoria refuses to and that the Treasurer and the Premier, who have been approached by representatives and stakeholders in this area, are ignoring those pleas. It is a health tax, and it is going to lead to detrimental outcomes for Victorian patients.