MP joins call to axe tampon tax

CORANGAMITE Liberal MP Sarah Henderson has reiterated her support for axing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on tampons, with federal Labor now backing the excise slash.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Labor would cut sales tax on tampons and sanitary products if the ALP formed government at the next federal election.

When the Howard Government introduced the GST in 1999, Australian Democrats leader Meg Lees brokered a number of tax exemptions for health-related items such as contraceptives, personal lubricant and sunscreen.

Tampons and female sanitary products were again omitted in an update of the 1999 legislation by then health minister Nicola Roxon.

Former treasurer Joe Hockey vowed to end the tax on tampons in 2015 but was overruled by then prime minister Tony Abbott.

Ms Henderson noted that axing that tax on tampons was not on the agenda during the Rudd or Gillard years, despite ministerial figures from that era now calling for change.

“I have consistently argued that this is an illogical and unfair tax burden on women,” the Liberal MP said.

“Sanitary products should be reclassified as a ‘health item’ and declared GST free.

“I have been lobbying hard behind the scenes for this change. Labor women such as Tania Plibersek and Catherine King had six years to fix this but did nothing.”

Corio MP Richard Marles said Treasurer Scott Morrison should axe the tampon tax in the forthcoming Federal Budget.

“This is a tax on women. Australian women spend around $300 million on sanitary products — tampons and pads — each year,” the Labor frontbencher said.

“Malcolm Turnbull should announce plans in next month’s Budget to scrap the tampon tax. Labor is offering a solution and there is no reason for him to refuse it.

“If Mr Turnbull fails to adopt Labor’s policy, a Shorten Labor Government will work with state and territory governments to scrap the tax urgently upon coming to office.”

Ms Henderson and Victorian Liberal Party’s women’s council wrote to Mr Morrison last year to advocate for the end of GST on tampons.