Scrap the cap - professions tell Government

The Australian Dental Association joined other peak professional organisations opposing the Federal Government’s proposed $2000 cap on tax deductions for self- education expenses at a summit in Canberra. They called on the Government to abandon the proposal.

The professional bodies say that the cap is poor policy that will undermine the Australian economy and the future health and well-being of the community. Professionals including dentists, doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, accountants and lawyers are required to undertake continuing professional development so that the public is provided with quality services.

In a communique, the professional bodies said: "The Government has not made the case for change and it has ignored the importance of self-education and mandatory continuing professional development for the safety and quality of services in key sectors such as health care delivery as well as for Australia’s economic future".

The Australian Tax Office intends to cap self-education expenses to $2000 from 1 July next year. A spokesman for the Treasurer says the proposed changes are "sensible"' and reflect an appropriate level of claimable expenses.

Organisations attending the Canberra meeting included the AMA, Rural Doctors of Australia, the Australian Nursing Federation, Universities Australia, the Law Council of Australia, Engineers Australia, the Australian Institute of Management, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants.