General Practitioner Payroll Tax

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:09): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney, representing the Premier, Treasurer and health minister, a question about payroll tax.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: This week, the spotlight has been on the issue of payroll tax, particularly due to a campaign led on behalf of independent general practitioners in South Australia. These practitioners are raising alarms about the potential ramifications of the impending retrospective payroll tax set to take effect on 1 July this year. They argue, quite rightly, if left unchanged this tax could have severe repercussions on GP practices, patients, emergency departments and the overall health crisis in the state. My questions to the Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Health are:

1. What actions, if any, have been initiated to address the very legitimate concerns raised by independent general practitioners?

2. Can the Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Health confirm their commitment to engage with key stakeholders such as, or including, the AMA and the RACGP to collaboratively explore viable solutions to this issue in order to prevent the catastrophic ramifications they have outlined in their campaign?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:11): I thank the honourable member for her question. I will be happy to refer it to all of the ministers she suggested and see which minister would like to bring back a response to the questions she has raised.