The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen:
"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 professions, 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," said Chris Owen.
