Labor has promised to axe the so-called tampon tax if it wins government, saying it has found a way to get states and territories on board.
The $30 million lost every year would be recouped by applying the 10 per cent GST to a dozen natural therapies such as herbalism and naturopathy.
“There’s no excuse now for the states and territories to refuse to make this important change,” deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.
She acknowledged there had already been several attempts to remove the tax from women’s sanitary products over the years, including by Liberal treasurer Joe Hockey in 2015, but “interference” from the states had made it “impossible”.
“The difference this time is we’ve identified an alternative source of funding for the states that leaves them slightly better off over the decade,” Ms Plibersek said.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the government already had the policy in place, but it was the states and territories – which must all agree to changes to the GST – that had stopped the change.
“There is no agreement for the states and territories on this issue,” she told the Nine Network.
Australian women spend around $300 million on sanitary products each year with each item attracting the 10 per cent GST because they are not considered necessities, according to the federal opposition.
Top Comments
Not before time. Still not enough to make me vote for him but not before time.
I'd rather that they get rid of the GST which is applied on top of the fuel excise. A tax on a tax. That would benefit all Australians much more than removing the GST on tampons.
Why can’t we have both?
Because they have to replace the money somehow, or reduce spending.
I actually think that the GST should apply to all goods and services, including tampons, condoms, viagra etc. I just don't think it should be applied on top of an existing tax, ie the fuel excise, if anything they should calculate GST before adding on the fuel excise.
No, women should not be taxed for mopping up the blood of their menstrual cycle.
Without menstrual cycles, no one would be here. They are essential and we should not be taxed for items we need to not be a public health issue. You want tax removed from fuel, start a separate campaign.