Tuesday, 3 October 2023

Western Victoria Region

Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:52): (411) My question is for the Treasurer. Several Western Victorian GPs contacted me about the recent State Revenue Office ruling that payroll tax applies to most GP clinics retrospectively and prospectively. They are concerned they will have to increase patient fees, and one is considering their clinic’s ongoing viability. It has been a longstanding interpretation of Australian payroll tax laws that these do not apply to the usual work practices of most GPs. Other states and territories have introduced concessions to avoid retrospective application and delay enforcement. WA and Queensland have entirely exempted general practices from payroll tax. Although people are already struggling to access affordable GP care, Victoria is the only state doing nothing. Can the Treasurer guarantee that the patients in Western Victoria will not have to travel further or pay more to see a GP as a result of the payroll tax ruling?