IN

a government sell-out to big business, it now forces companies such as eBay ( who are not the actual sellers ) to collect GST of 10% on all overseas purchases by Australians. Previously there was a $1000 exemption.

While Australian retailers with a turnover under $75,000 do not charge GST, under the new rules, all purchases made overseas will be forced to pay the 10%. A discrimination which increases the cost.

Additionally, we have free trade agreements with many foreign countries, but we are imposing a tax on transactions occurring within their countries. Section 2.4.1 of the Free Trade Agreement with China states ‘each party shall eliminate its customs duties on originating goods of the other party ...’ while section 1.3.a specifies ‘customs duty means any customs or import duty and a charge of any kind ... imposed in connection with the importation of a good...’.

But we are now charging tax on goods originating in China.

Not only are these new rules discriminatory, but are we in breach of the FTAs?

IAN TIMMINS, MERMAID BEACH