The Liberals and Nationals have attempted to introduce a bill into State Parliament to stop Labor’s unfair Health Tax, that will at best drive-up appointment prices and at worst close practices.

Recently, the State Revenue Office (SRO) began issuing notices to medical practices classifying tenanted doctors (general practitioners), dentists, physiotherapists and other allied health practitioners as employees (rather than contractors), for the purposes of obtaining increased payroll tax.

It has been described by Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) as the “biggest existential threat to general practice” in Victoria.

“To make matters worse, in many cases, Labor is backdating the tax owed by up to five years, resulting in bills in the hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Nationals Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull.

“It is yet another case of the broke government running out of money through mismanagement and then coming after more of yours.

“This tax will ultimately flow through to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients and will mean fewer bulk billing clinics operating in Victoria, with patients having to travel further for care, or resort to seeking medical attention at already-stretched Emergency Departments.

“Victorians will be left either without vital primary healthcare services, or increased costs, if the Allan Government doesn’t withdraw it.

“Labor arrogantly refuses to listen to warnings from GPs and other health professionals as it presses ahead with its unfair tax. It will have huge ramifications for Victoria’s struggling health system.

“Victorians shouldn’t have to suffer because the Labor Government can’t manage its budget,” he said.

Monday, 6 November 2023