Labor Announces Plan to Axe the Tampon Tax; Here's What You Need to Know

This will mean a great deal for those who menstruate.

The tampon tax, despite affecting around 50 per cent of the population, continues to be a thing Australia's politicians cannot decide what to do with.

But the tables might be turning because Labor Party leader Bill Shorten has just announced a plan to get rid of the tax when (and especially if) they get into government.

The news comes nearly a year after former Greens senator (and former Canadian) Larissa Waters introduced a proposal to the Senate that was ultimately voted down.

So, what's the big deal about the tampon tax anyway?

At the moment, certain products that are considered "essential health items" like condoms, lubricants, sunscreen and even nicotine patches are not taxed. Sanitary products such as pads and tampons, however, are not deemed essential and, therefore, taxed for GST at around 10 per cent.

Adding sanitary products to the GST exemption list won't drastically reduce prices, of course, but it will make a sizeable difference to some.

Plus, it's just a logical inclusion.

Why is the government (and others) against it?

The Liberal government and the Labor opposition have previously voted against removing the tampon tax as they were concerned about the loss of revenue generated from it. Around $120 million is made from taxing sanitary products over four years, so that revenue would need to be made up somewhere else.

Despite now supporting the plan, it's important to note that Bill Shorten has previously back-flipped on this promise in 2016 when he urged then Prime Minister Tony Abbott to consider dropping the GST on sanitary products. Shorten later confirmed he wouldn't support it as they couldn't afford the loss the revenue.

However, today's news inspired a shoutout from Tony Abbott, who you might also remember for being the Minister for Women and the same-sex marriage opponent whose electorate returned a 75 per cent 'yes' vote in the postal survey.

The LNP plans to create more taxes. #auspol
When hearing that Labor will abolish the tampon tax, Mr Abbott told radio station 2GB, "We have to broaden the tax base, not start carving out politically correct exceptions." pic.twitter.com/myA33pbMQL

— 🌈 🚣 🌴👩‍⚕️ Cat (@LittleBertie01) April 29, 2018

What next?

The next Federal election can occur, at the earliest, on Saturday 4 August this year, with the latest date being Saturday 18 May next year. And with no guarantee of Labor being elected anyway, those affected will still have to hold their breath.

Still, Shorten announced that Labor will propose the changes to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the hopes that the government puts forward the proposal themselves.

So, while there's no exact date on when this might happen, the future's looking bright for those who have to deal with the (painful and tolling) journey of menstruation.

Photo: iStock.com/emapoket