Ditching the so-called ‘tampon tax’ is now closer than ever after federal and state politicians confirmed their support on Saturday.
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Treasurer Scott Morrison vowed to remove the tax calling it “a source of frustration and angst” for women.
The promise comes just months after Labor made it an election guarantee.
Co-founder of the Wagga Women’s Health Centre, Jan Roberts wants to see the tax gone, along with the politicking of what she describes as “parliament’s nagging issue”.
“All I can say is that it’s many decades too late,” she said.
Categorising feminine hygiene products as luxury inclusions to the 10 per cent Goods and Service tax began under the Howard administration in 2001.
“I’ve never understood the objection, except that it’s brought in a lot of money to the states because every women has had to contribute to the tax,” Ms Roberts said.
“It certainly defies all logic when you consider other things, like condoms and male-prophylactics, are not taxed like that."
Despite the promises, Ms Roberts believes there is fault on both sides.
“Each of the parties have been as bad as each other on this. Even when we had a female prime minister, nothing was done,” she said.
“Historically women have not been able to discuss these issues publicly, so I find it really interesting that now we’ve come to a place where women are now protesting in Canberra, dressed as tampons.”
For Ms Roberts, axing the tax could mean a lot more than just extra cash in women’s pockets.
“It’s important to normalise it, there doesn’t need to be embarrassment when buying pads or tampons,” she said.
“I’ve known women who wait for a female check-out attendant to be free so that a man wouldn’t have to handle them.”