The Wide Bay can’t afford the Palaszczuk Government’s new Patient Tax in the middle of a health crisis.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said several GP practices have contacted him with concerns around patient care and their ability to keep the doors open.
“There is no question, the new patients’ tax will push up the cost of seeing a GP,” he said.
“We are already seeing clinics right across the Burnett raise the alarm because they’re scared for the future of their staff and patients.
“The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service is already scrambling, referrals are being rejected, waitlists have blown out, ambulance ramping is through the roof, and now we’re seeing the extremely dangerous practice of double banking in our emergency rooms.
“This will put even more pressure on our hospitals that have deteriorated over eight years.
“Our health and hospital staff are run off their feet and deserve so much better.
“How can the Premier and her Minister’s sleep at night knowing they’re raiding the pockets of our most vulnerable to fix their broken budget?
“During the election campaign the Palaszczuk Government promised 26 times, “no new or increased taxes”.
“This latest broken promise will cost us dearly which leaves me with one question; what will happen to those patients who can’t afford to see a doctor?”
Shore Care Family Practice Manager Emma Jackson said she fears for the future.
“At present we’re a small GP practice, but Payroll Tax is something that is constantly hanging over our heads,” said Mrs Jackson.
“Dr Jackson conducts as many investigations as possible before referring a patient onto a non-GP specialist, thus relieving the limited specialist services in Bundaberg and Gladstone.
“But providing these services certainly comes with sacrifices; our family hasn’t had a break in years.
“We have always anticipated that we would expand with more GP’s and provide the community with added services.
“We’re currently negotiating with a new GP to join the practice, but now payroll tax needs to be at the forefront of our minds to avoid any penalties.
“Worrying about these things seems ridiculous when we should be more concerned about the medical care that is being provided.
“The added implication to this tax is the determent of training doctors to specialise in general practice.
“GPs are struggling to keep their doors open on a mixed-billing model, the announcement of payroll tax on top surely will convince anyone considering the specialisation to certainly not bother.”
02/02/2023