Tampon tax break on table

Giving women a tax break on sanitary products such as tampons and sanitary pads could be part of the Government’s plan to create a ‘‘better and fairer’’ taxation scheme for all New Zealanders.

Announcing the new working tax group yesterday, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the panel would have a ‘‘wide mandate’’ to look at the whole tax system but it had been directed to look at specific areas such as GST.

When asked if the group would consider removing the goods and services tax (GST) from women’s products, Robertson said ‘‘it’s up to the working group’’, though he would not be ‘‘taking anything on or off the table’’.

‘‘If the working group decide to go down that path, we’ll be happy to do that. What we are saying is the rate for GST is not to be included in [its discussions].’’

Robertson said if the working group could deliver a concrete step forward earlier than planned, the Government would consider acting.

Last year, it was reported that some young Kiwi women were skipping classes when they had their period as they couldn’t afford sanitary products.

Labour MP Louisa Wall said some women stayed home from university or school when they didn’t have enough money to buy tampons or pads, which can cost between $5 and $15 a week.

‘‘Female sanitary products aren’t a luxury, but for young Kiwi women on tight budgets, they’re an expense that’s hard to afford.’’

Comedian Miche`le A’Court has previously estimated the average cost of tampons over a woman’s lifetime as being more than $4500 – ‘‘roughly the price of a 2005 Toyota Rav 4 with 140,000km on the clock’’.