Momentum builds behind payroll tax petition

The RACGP has thrown its weight behind a petition opposing the introduction of payroll tax liabilities on tenant doctors in Victoria, in the hope that it will reach a target of 10,000 signatures by the end of January.
 
Victorian GPs in particular are being encouraged to sign the petition and share via their own social media channels, as it will force a debate in Victorian Parliament to reconsider the state’s stance on payroll tax should it gain enough support.
 
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins told newsGP the implications of payroll tax are widespread.
 
‘This tax on Medicare effects everybody. Not only practice owners and independent practitioners, but most importantly, it impacts our patients, as it’s a cost to pass on,’ she said.
 
‘GPs already pay payroll tax. National consistency is needed around the application of payroll tax to provide certainty for GPs.
 
‘We’ve seen what that has meant for Queensland GPs now they have certainty. I call on the Victorian Government through this petition to come to the table to offer a solution that will ensure we have a viable and sustainable future for general practice in Victoria.’
 
The latest push to scrap the reinterpretation of state payroll tax liability is part of a concerted advocacy campaign to establish nationally consistent safeguarding of general practices, with the RACGP calling for the issue to be prioritised by state and Federal governments.
 
Dr Higgins is asking for Victorian members to share and sign the petition to help keep practices open and GP fees affordable.
 
‘I encourage all Victorian GPs to sign the petition,’ she said.
 
‘Every Australian deserves access to a GP, and the State Government, through its attitude towards payroll tax, is creating more barriers for patients.
 
‘What the Federal Government is offering for strengthening Medicare in one hand, the Victorian Government is taking it away.
 
‘If the Victorian Government was serious about supporting general practice and primary care, it wouldn’t be stuffing its pockets through taxing Federal Medicare funds and payment from patients to GPs.’
 
The RACGP has said its mini social campaign relies on as many Victoria-based GPs as possible to share via their own channels, with the more engagement received on these posts, the more people will see them:
 
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=779331177554313&set=a.649158387238260
https://twitter.com/RACGP/status/1745660674292806015/photo/1
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1_IcR9oNct/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/1202653/admin/feed/posts/
 
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payroll tax strengthening Medicare Victoria