Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee has hit out against Chief Minister Andrew Barr’s decision to enforce payroll tax on GPs in the ACT that, she says, will lead to Canberrans paying more to see a doctor.

Ms Lee said it is clear Barr has not listened to GPs warning the chief minister that his policy will either bankrupt general practices in the ACT or make visiting a GP more expensive.

“We know this Labor-Greens government has an appalling track record when it comes to consultation, and they were warned that demanding clinics to bulk bill 65 per cent of patients was not realistic or achievable,” Ms Lee said.

“The reality is that GPs will now be faced with a grim choice. They will either be forced to pass the cost on to patients which will see Canberrans paying up to $20 more per consultation during a cost-of-living crisis that is impacting on so many already. Or they will be forced to cut services and perhaps even shut their doors.

“This is why I will be putting forward a bill… in the Legislative Assembly to exempt clinics from the tax on GPs engaged as contractors and also reverse any retrospective application of the tax.

“If Andrew Barr is serious about ensuring all Canberrans have access to essential health care; if he is serious about addressing the cost-of-living pressures for Canberrans, he must support my bill.”

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