'Bait and switch': sneaky state tax on GPs to cause patient fees to rise

Dr Max Mollenkopf, who runs the Whitebridge Medical Practice, said there was 'an increasing squeeze on GP practices'. Picture by Marina Neil

Patient fees for a standard consultation in Newcastle are set to rise by $10 to $15 this month due to the NSW government hitting contracted GPs with payroll tax.

Doctors are angry that the Minns government promoted the tax as a "bulk-billing initiative".