Self-education cap scrapped
August 5, 2013
Members of the ‘Scrap the Cap’
alliance have hailed the 12 month
deferral of the proposed $2000
limit on deductible self-education
expenses (PD breaking news Fri) as
a victory for common sense.
The move, unveiled by now
former federal treasurer Wayne
Swan earlier this year, unleashed
widespread condemnation from
across the medical sector, with
many groups including peak
pharmacy bodies joining the group
to lobby against the move.
Friday’s economic update from
treasurer Chris Bowen revealed
that the move will now be deferred
until 01 July 2015, to “allow for
further consultation on how best
to target excessive claims while
ensuring the impact on university
enrolments and genuine continuing
professional development is
minimised”.
The deferral is estimated to cost
the government $250 million.
The Pharmaceutical Society of
Australia welcomed the move, with
National President Grant Kardachi
saying “clearly the government
has listened to the groundswell of
opposition to this proposal.
“The Scrap the Cap grouping
of more than 75 organisations
representing some 1.6 million
professionals has been vocal
in bringing the government’s
attention to the shortfalls of this
proposed policy,” he said.
A PSA survey of its more than
18,000 members found that two
thirds have education outlays of
more than $2000, and 80% said
their employers did not reimburse
them for educational expenses.
“Most disturbingly, 82% of
respondents said a $2000 cap
would cause them to decrease
their educational activities, a
move which could have serious
consequences for the health of all
Australians,” Kardachi added.
He said that the next step was for
the government to abandon the
proposal altogether.
The Pharmacy Guild also
welcomed the postponement,
saying it would allow time
to ensure that any measure
introduced “does not impede the
legitimate continuing professional
education needs of pharmacists”.
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