Local Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland says a new tax on general practitioners (GPs) could leave Victorians without access to vital healthcare services.
Following the Queensland Government’s recent confirmation it would ensure GP services would not be subject to the extra tax, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Ms Cleeland is calling the Andrews Government to follow suit and withdraw the tax immediately.
The tax will impact the viability of medical clinics by backdating payroll tax, resulting in tax bills of up to hundreds of thousands of dollars being issued.
“Anyone that lives in regional Victoria knows how much strain is on our medical professionals and how much they are already struggling with demand,” said Ms Cleeland.
“This health tax will place even more stress on a an already blocked system – and increase already blown out waiting times.
“It is appalling the Andrews Government thinks it’s acceptable to place a tax on healthcare professionals – let alone a retrospective one.
“Affordable health care for regional Victorians is challenging enough without being financially penalised by yet another tax.
“The Andrews Government needs to put the health of Victorians first.”
The Victorian Nationals and Liberals recently hosted 30 GPs and representatives from peak medical bodies to hear first-hand the detrimental impact of Labor’s Health Tax.
Shadow Minister for Health, Georgie Crozier said, “This is a desperate cash grab by a government that is broke.
“It will have huge ramifications for Victoria’s strained health system and will only make it harder for Victorians to see a doctor.”
