Tampons and pads will no longer be subject to a 10 per cent consumption tax after a landmark decision to make sanitary products exempt from Australia’s national goods and services tax (GST).
Treasurers from all states and territories met on Wednesday and agreed unanimously to pass the federal government’s proposal, a move supported by both major political parties.
The decision has come after almost 18 years of public campaigning following the controversial introduction of the GST by the Howard government in 1999.
Activists were quick to criticize the classifying of feminine hygiene products as being non-essential items, arguing that the government’s choice to keep condoms, lubricant and male sexual enhancement medications exempt was both sexist and unfair.
Following the backlash received during the GST launch, then health minister Michael Wooldridge justified the decision by saying tampons did not “prevent illness”.
Since that time, protests and rallies against the tax have steadily gained momentum, with one petition titled “stop taxing my period” gathering over 100,000 signatures.
Greens Senator Janet Rice celebrated the decision, following her failed attempt to get rid of the tax in June.
“This is a huge win for all Australians who menstruate and shows the power of grassroots movements when we work together,” Senator Rice said.
“I’m so pleased that finally, both major parties have listened to the huge groundswell of Australians who knew from the start how sexist and unfair this tax was.”
While details of the matter are still yet to be finalised, it is so far understood that products should start to become cheaper from January 2019.
The move will cost the states $30 million dollars a year, but the Coalition has argued that this shortfall will not be a problem as GST revenue is already higher than forecast.
“We’re really delighted that everyone’s come on board to scrap what is an unfair tax,” Minister for Women Kelly O’Dwyer said.
“Millions of women right across the nation will be very thankful for it.”
(Featured image: Graffiti in a Fitzroy bathroom. Photo: Isabella Foster)
