Qld election 2024: Labor to scrap controversial ‘patient tax’

While denying it exists, Labor will scrap its controversial “patient’s tax” to neutralise effective LNP attacks.

Premier Steven Miles (right) and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman (centre) visit Mater Private Hospital Redlands. Picture: Adam Head

Labor will scrap its controversial “patient tax” from July in an effort to neutralise effective LNP attacks just three weeks from polling day.

Key figures in the government’s re-election campaign on Tuesday night agreed to make general practitioners exempt when payroll tax changes come into effect in July.

The decision aims to neutralise a key attack by Opposition Leader David Crisafulli who pledged to exempt GPs, therefore axing what he’s called “Labor’s patient tax”, on the eve of the election campaign.

Treasurer Cameron Dick had noted GPs were given time to become compliant to avoid paying the tax, but the Australian Medical Association Queensland argued an administrative burden to comply with new rules could cost as much as $50,000.

Mr Dick said he hoped the policy reversal would end the LNP’s mistruths.

“David Crisafulli has been deceiving Queenslanders and as a result, we will put an end to his campaign of misinformation by legislating to automatically exclude general practitioners from payroll tax,” he said.

“There has never been, or was there ever going to be a ‘patient tax’ on Queenslanders, and that was made clear in last year’s state budget.

“Two years ago a New South Wales court case found that medical centres should pay payroll tax for general practitioners.

“Our government put in place an amnesty and a public ruling that made it clear doctors would not have to pay payroll tax.”

The government will also announce on Wednesday it will bring forward its plan to hire thousands of extra health workers if it is elected.

Premier Steven Miles will pledge, by 2028, Labor will deliver an extra 15,875 frontline health workers, including 8555 nurses 2626 doctors and 2000 ambulance officers.

An extra 4000 admin­istration staff and 1290 operational support staff would also be recruited.

The pledge fast-tracks its $1.7bn health workforce strategy, announced in June, which pledged 46,000 extra health workers by 2032.

Labor continued its focus on health on Tuesday with a pledge to invest $1.6bn to expand Redlands Hospital if it is re-elected, but the project wouldn’t be finished until the eve of the 2032 state election.

The stage two expansion of Redlands Hospital promised by Premier Steven Miles if Queensland backs his government on October 26 would add a new emergency department, two extra theatres and 48 additional treatment spaces.

“Our population is growing rapidly and to meet the health needs of that growing population,” he said.

Originally published as Qld election 2024: Labor to scrap controversial ‘patient tax’