THE Pharmacy Guild of Australia has urged a level playing field when it comes to payroll tax in Queensland, after the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) urged that doctors should be exempt from recent changes.
The Pharmacy Guild Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen (pictured right), said "no one likes payroll tax, but it's a well-known cost of running a pharmacy, a dentist surgery, a physiotherapy clinic and a GP surgery.
"Claims from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) who have linked GP shortages, GP practices shutting their doors and the end of bulk billing to paying payroll tax isn't going to solve the current GP crisis.
"Many hard-working health professionals, like dentists, physiotherapists, chiropractors and community pharmacists are already complying with the legislation and paying their fair share.
"If the Queensland Government grants a payroll tax exemption to GP practices, the Government should do the same for all primary healthcare professionals.
"Everyone acknowledges that patients need more options when it comes to primary healthcare due to the GP crisis, and the inability to get an appointment in a timely manner; exemptions in payroll tax will not free up any GP appointments," Owen said.
The Queensland Revenue Office has now clarified the rules for general practitioners in a Commissioner's public ruling.
The RACGP is concerned the changes will result in increased costs for practice owners, which will flow onto patients and force some practices to close their doors.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins (pictured below) slammed the decision as a "kick in the guts" for Queensland patients.
"While I'm pleased that the Queensland Revenue Office has listened to our advocacy and will limit audits on practices to the previous financial year, the scenarios provided of what is in the scope of payroll tax in this ruling is deeply concerning.
"It is another nail in the coffin for struggling general practices in Queensland," she said.
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