AMA SA welcomes support for general practice in SA Budget Reply
South Australia's Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia has announced the Liberal Party will scrap the payroll tax for general practitioners if it's successful at the 2026 State Election.
The Australian Medical Association in South Australia (AMA SA) has welcomed the commitment from the South Australian Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia that patients will not be forced to pay more to see their GPs as a result of the State Government’s current payroll tax policy, should the Opposition take office after next year’s election.
‘We welcome Mr Tarzia’s commitment to ensuring patients won’t have to face additional out-of-pocket costs when visiting their GPs,’ said AMA SA President Associate Professor Peter Subramaniam.
‘We have been campaigning for the removal of payroll tax on all private specialist appointments for three years – since the Treasurer first announced South Australia would “come into line” with other states applying this tax. But no other state has implemented it in a way that directly threatens access to care for patients like this.
‘At a time when families are grappling with high cost-of-living pressures, making access to general practice more expensive will push people away from timely care. Any increase in ED presentations as a consequence will worsen ramping and increase bed block, costing the system far more than treatment in general practice.’
A/Prof Subramaniam also questioned the fiscal rationale behind the tax.
‘We are still waiting for data to show how much the government has raised through this tax, or where that money is being directed. It’s hard to defend a policy that damages frontline care while delivering no transparent benefit to patients and is potentially costing the system more,’ he said.
AMA SA also welcomed the Opposition’s commitment to investment in extended-hours GP clinics.
‘It is clear our health system needs innovative reform to deliver the care people expect in their communities. GP-led, team-based care that’s accessible after hours is a vital step toward this. We know patients are more likely to visit the GP they trust – so making those appointments available for GPs that patients know, when they’re needed, will help keep people well and out of hospital.’
A/Prof Subramaniam flagged that broader health system issues will remain central to AMA SA advocacy ahead of the 2026 state election.
‘This is a start, but we’ll have much more to say on payroll tax, workforce planning, public-private capacity, and ramping as the state election approaches. With just nine months to go, we’ll be seeking clear commitments from all sides of politics to support a sustainable, accessible health system for South Australians.’
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