LNP’s David Crisafulli reveals plan to stop Labor’s ‘patient tax’, keep GP costs down

Your next visit to a doctor or GP could be cheaper, as the LNP reveal its plan to combat the Labor’s ‘patient tax’. ALL THE DETAILS

Your next doctor visit could be cheaper.

• All the LNP, Labor election promises

Patients would save money visiting the doctor and GP services protected under an LNP plan to stop the “patient tax” if elected.

The Sunday-Mail can reveal Opposition Leader David Crisafulli would exempt GPs from payroll tax, which is due for collection from July.

It was a demand of the Australian Medical Association Queensland, which is now calling for Labor to copy the pledge.

Mr Crisafulli argued the tax would drive up costs for Queenslanders to see a doctor and restrict access to GPs.

“The LNP will stop Labor’s patients’ tax, immediately and permanently, to save you money and protect your local health services,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli plans to exempt GPs from payroll tax. Picture: Liam Kidston

“(It) is a short-term money grab that will lead to long-term ailments in our health system.

“We will use every lever available to ease the crisis Labor created and this is just one part of our plan to restore health services.”

The move is expected to cost the Queensland economy $100m per year over and would be in place for three years starting July 2025.

AMAQ president Dr Nick Yim said Queenslanders would save up to $30 every GP visit and called on all parties to commit to the exemption. “Practices tell us that the administrative cost of changing payment flows ranges from $2000 to $50,000 depending on the size of the practice,” Dr Yim said.

“They just can’t afford that and must pass it on to patients.

“We are in a cost-of-living crisis and we should be making it easier for patients to get healthcare.”

The Queensland Revenue Office last year issued a ruling clarifying that under normal business arrangements, patient fees and out-of-pocket expenses, including Medicare rebates, aren’t subject to payroll tax when GPs are paid directly.

But Dr Yim and said the ruling would be tested when the new MyMedicare system comes into effect as those payments would be made to the practice, not the GP.

AMA Qld president Dr Nick Yim. Picture: Josh Woning

“GPs remain concerned that they will be audited once the amnesty ends, and non-GP private specialists have no certainty that they will not be hit with crippling five-year retrospective liability notices out of the blue,” he said.

“Exempting private practices from this tax is a practical solution...”

Shadow Treasurer David Janetzki said removing the tax would will help ease pressure on the health system.

“Labor’s patients’ tax will put more pressure on our emergency departments and drive up ambulance ramping and wait times,” he said.

Treasurer Cameron Dick used parliament this month to argue the government was listening to the needs of GPs.

“We have provided a ruling that sets out a pathway about how they can become compliant without having to pay payroll tax,” he said.

“Then we provided an amnesty, to give them the time and space to do so.”