IF you want a quick read on the Government’s priorities, don’t wait for the Budget, just watch the rugby league transfer market.

Right now, Canberra is happy to back tax-free deals that see players like Jarome Luai head to Papua New Guinea on about $1.2 million a year.

And, fair enough, most of us would sign that contract in a heartbeat.

But here’s the question doing the rounds in regional New South Wales – if it’s good enough for footy players, why isn’t it good enough for our healthcare workers?

Because, when those of us living in country communities ask for help attracting doctors, nurses and allied health staff, the tune changes.

Brendan Moylan says if tax-free deals are good enough for footy players, why aren’t they good enough for healthcare workers (Image digitally altered).

Suddenly, it’s “too complex”. There are “no simple solutions”. We “can’t touch the tax system”.

Apparently, tax is sacred, unless you can throw a cut-out pass and step off your left foot.

If tax-free incentives are sensible policy to get a five-eighth to Port Moresby, how exactly do they become reckless economics when it comes to getting a GP to Armidale, a paediatrician to Inverell or a registered nurse to Glen Innes?

That’s not complexity. That’s a political choice.

And it’s one regional communities are living with every day.

Our hospitals are chronically short-staffed, patients are waiting hours, clinicians are stretched to breaking point and nearly every GP’s books are closed.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth has shown it’s more than willing to use the tax system when it suits – just not for the people keeping regional communities alive.

So, here’s a simple idea: Try the same approach for healthcare.

Targeted, time-limited, tax-free income for doctors nurses and allied health care professionals who commit to the bush.

Because incentives work and the Government knows it.

It just prefers not to admit it when the solution involves regional Australia instead of a headline.

No one begrudges a footy player earning a good living.

But when the Government can bend the rules for rugby league and won’t do the same for basic healthcare, people notice.

So, it really comes down to this: If it’s good enough for footy players, it should be good enough for the people keeping our communities alive.

Because right now, we’re paying locums thousands a day and wheeling laptops into emergency departments to fill gaps.

A sensible tax incentive would be cheaper and a whole lot better for patients.

Less spin, more doctors.

If the government can establish tax-free incomes for an NRL venture, they can do the same for the bush.

That’s a policy worth signing.

Commentary by Member for Northern Tablelands, Brendan Moylan