CANBERRA Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee will introduce a Bill on Tuesday to stop Andrew Barr’s “sick tax”, which she says will make it more to see a GP.

Lee said the bill would exempt clinics from payroll tax on GPs engaged as contractors. The AMA, RACGP and local GPs haved claimed the tax would have have significant ramifications going forward on the viability of  clinics and would lead to Canberrans paying more to visit a GP.

“This bill, a very simple amendment to the ACT Payroll Act 2011 will not only provide much needed certainty to GPs but ensure Canberrans are not paying more to see their GPs, including the most vulnerable in the community.

“The knee-jerk policy put forward by the Chief Minister to provide an exemption for two years to practices which bulk bill 65 per cent of their patients has been heavily criticised by GPs as unrealistic and unachievable and will force GPs to pass on the cost to patients, up to $20 a consultation.

“The Canberra Liberals, RACGP, AMA and local GPs have all raised concerns about this tax and the impact it will have not only on GP clinics and extra costs to patients, but the added stress it will put on an already failing emergency department.”

GPs slam payroll tax impost and warn fees will rise