Myer hit by backlash over concerns NDIS levy will hurt profits Henry Ergas tells Rebecca Weisser that the government's NDIS levy will not cover the costs of the program. DEPARTMENT store Myer is facing a backlash and possible boycott after chief executive Bernie Brookes suggested increasing the Medicare levy to help disabled people would damage his company's profits. Speaking at a business conference yesterday, Mr Brookes told delegates the estimated $350 annual household increase on the Medicare levy "is something they would have spent with us." The increase, which would part-fund the federal government's planned national disabled insurance care scheme "is not good for our customers and may have an impact," Mr Brookes added. The comments sparked a storm on social media, with users criticising Mr Brookes and Myer, which today added to the comments in a post on its Facebook page. "Like everyone we are absolutely supportive of any well constructed support for those with disabilities and that view seems reflected across the community," the retailer said. As a business however, we remain sensitive to imposts on the consumer by the government generally, for whatever purpose, as this adds to negative consumer sentiment and that adversely impacts sales, profit and jobs. Ideally we would like any government initiative to be funded within the revenue stream it has, rather than through a new or additional tax take. Comments posted on social media sites suggested some users may now boycott Myer. "Memo to self: do not spend another buck in a Myer store until (Mr Brookes) delivers a grovelling apology," one user wrote. Another added: "I can't say that the first thing that I thought of when I heard about the tax was, oh bum, less money for me to spend on frivolous items at Myer! My first thought was it's about time more money went into disabled care, although I'm not sure about the way they are going about it? What a pathetic statement Myer!