The Hon. David Speirs, Leader of the Opposition (SA), The Hon. Ashton Hurn, Shadow Minister for Health (SA), Joint Media Release, 24 October 2023

The Liberal Opposition has hosted a forum and invited the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners to discuss the proposed new GP payroll tax – with fears the new patient tax will force doctors to raise fees or even close their practices, driving more people to our already stretched emergency departments.

Around a dozen GPs attended this morning’s roundtable discussion, giving doctors the opportunity to express the personal concerns they hold over the looming new tax grab.

Following legal proceedings interstate, SA medical practices have been deemed liable to pay payroll tax on payments made to contracted GPs.

The Opposition is joining the RACGP and calling on the Government to follow the Queensland Government, which last month announced there would be no payroll tax on direct to doctor payments in their state. This includes the Medicare benefit and any out-of-pocket expenses and, in addition, for the amnesty to be extended until July 2026.

Leader of the Opposition, David Speirs, said the new tax poses a serious threat to the future of general practices and the flow on effects will be catastrophic for SA’s health system.

“South Australia’s health system is already at breaking point, and the threat of this new tax is just pouring fuel on the fire,” Mr Speirs said.

“Under Labor, South Australians are already enduring record ramping and emergency departments constantly running over capacity – so we’re at a complete loss as to why Peter Malinauskas would look to introduce a measure that will make things even worse.

“This patient tax grab by Labor will drive up GP fees for South Australians during a cost of living crisis, which will force many to seek care in our emergency departments where it’s free.

“We’re urging Peter Malinauskas to listen to GPs and work together to make sure general practice care is kept affordable.”

Shadow Minister for Health, Ashton Hurn, said the State Government needs listen to the concerns of local doctors and act to protect patients and practices from this new patient tax.

“Our health system is in enough strife as it is, and doctors are telling us that this new patient tax will do more damage – so it’s a clear lose-lose for patients and practices alike,” Mrs Hurn said.

“The last thing we needs to do is make it harder and more expensive to go to a GP, because that just forces people into our emergency departments which just adds to the pressure.

“If Peter Malinauskas thinks a great big new patient tax is going to fix ramping and South Australia’s health system, then he is sorely mistaken.

“After listening to the local college of GPs, it’s clear that we need the Labor Government to follow Queensland’s lead and provide much needed clarity and certainty for GPs.”