2016-06-09
The Australian Greens are disappointed that both the old parties are giving up on ending the tampon tax.
Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Deputy Leader and spokesperson for women, said:
"While the old parties make excuses, Australian women continue to fork out $50 million a year in a tax on their bodies.
"We Greens will not give up on ending the tampon tax - we'll continue to work in the next Parliament to see it scrapped.
"It's discriminatory to exempt condoms or sunscreen from GST but charge women GST for essential items.
"Tampons and pads should have never been taxed in the first place - they are hardly luxury items, they are necessities. It screams of policy created without enough women in the room.
"We have gender gaps in pay, wealth and superannuation. The last thing women need on top of all that financial inequality is a tax that only women have to pay for products they can't do without.
"It's grossly unfair that while the government is giving out a $50 billion corporate tax cut, women are being forced to pay a tax on their bodies," Senator Waters said.