Yahoo Finance Federal Budget 2015: New petition puts Australia's tampon tax back in the spotlight
More than 38,000 people have signed a petition asking Treasurer Joe Hockey to remove a goods and services tax on tampons.
Under current GST rules, sanitary items are not considered ‘health goods’ and therefore women pay an extra 10 per cent on top of the normal price.
Under the current classifications, condoms, lubricants, sunscreen and nicotine patches are GST-free because they are classes as important health goods.
It is hoped the petition will convince Hockey to classify pads and tampons as ‘neccesary health items’ so they aren’t subjected to the GST.
The author of the petition, Sydney university student Subeta Vimalarajah, hopes her petition will convince Hockey to change the classification of pads and tampons to ‘neccesary health items’.
“How can a bodily function be taxed?” Vimalarajah writes in her petition.
“Because the government doesn't consider the tampons and pads we're forced to buy every few weeks 'necessary' enough to be GST-free.”
Vimalarajah hopes her petition will make it clear to Hockey that periods are ‘not a luxury or societal burden’ but part of necessary part of reproductive health.
“People who get periods don't buy pads and tampons for pleasure, so why are we forced to fork out an extra 10% every 2, 3, 4 weeks? Taxing Australians for getting their period isn't just sexist, it's fundamentally unfair!”
