Members Statement - Health Payroll Tax

MEMBERS STATEMENT

‘HEALTH PAYROLL TAX’.

Wednesday, 30 August 2023.

Mr NEWBURY (Brighton) (9:50):

The State Labor Government’s new health tax will cripple health services, drive up out-of-pocket expenses and make it harder for Victorians to see a doctor.

As one Brighton practice recently confirmed to me:

The tax will lead to decreased rates of bulk-billing and increased out-of-pocket expenses for patients, especially our most vulnerable patients. Reduced access at GPs will move more patients into the public hospital system, leading to overflowing emergency rooms, ambulance ramping, long waiting lists and spiralling costs.