Australia finally ditches the "tampon tax"

The 10 per cent GST levied on women’s sanitary items is set to be made history, with Australia’s treasurers agreeing to ditch the controversial “tampon tax”.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg met with state and territory treasurers this morning to discuss the changes to the general services tax (GST) following an 18-year campaign to repeal the tax on pads, tampons and menstrual cups, AAP reports.

Also read: Australian property prices are falling FASTER

This particular GST application has received critical attention since the introduction of the consumption tax in 2000, leading young women to dress up as superheroes in protest.

Campaigners claimed the tax was unfair, given other items like condoms were GST-exempt.

Frydenberg told the Australian Broadcasting Commission there is a ”strong agreement” to axe the tax from 1 January 2019.

“Hopefully that becomes a formality today,” he said in the lead up to the meeting.

Minister for Women, Kelly O’Dwyer also described the tax as “unfair” to Seven Network.

Also read: Chocaholics’ favourite enters voluntary administration

“We think it should be scrapped,” she said, arguing that, “Millions of Australian women will benefit.”

Speaking in August, then-Treasurer Scott Morrison agreed, arguing the “tampon tax” should never have been put in place, admitting it was time for the tax to be culled.

“I can see it is a source of frustration and angst. Here’s a straightforward practical opportunity to deal with it once and for all,” he told News Corp.

“I think it’s an anomaly that has been built into the system for a long time and the states have decided to hold onto the money instead of getting rid of it.”

Also read: Is Australia’s economic strength a thing of the past?

However, One Nation senator Pauline Hanson in April argued the tax shouldn’t be a national priority.

“You’ve got just over 12 million women in Australia – that averages out to $2.46 per woman,” she told the Seven Network.

“Now, I know they all don’t need tampons but the fact is we’re talking about a minuscule amount.”