Apparently, Removing the Tampon Tax Wouldn’t Really Cost the Government That Much

Buzzfeed has crunched the numbers to determine that removing the tax on feminine hygiene products will only cost $115 million over three years; a small figure in the scheme of things.

Products such as sanitary pads and tampons are deemed as non-essential under the current GST scheme and are therefore slapped with the 10 per cent GST tax.

The issue that many have raised is that other items such as condoms, sunscreen, lubricants and nicotine patches are considered essential health items and are exempt from the 10 per cent hike.

This had led many to believe that the scheme is sexist.

Larissa Walters, deputy Greens leader, spoke to Buzzfeed News to explain that this tax has existed for far too long.

"The tampon tax is a tax on women's biology that financially penalises women for simply existing," Waters told Buzzfeed News.

Her plan is to argue for the removal of the tax by showing how the government’s projected $300 million revenue coming from the new online tax (for any online purchases under $1,000) will cover the bill, still leaving $185 million for other expenditures over the next three years.

Waters will introduce the amendment this week while the Treasury Laws Amendment (GST Low Value Goods) Bill 2017 is being debated.

Until then...

Photo: iStock