After more than 18 years since the GST was first introduced, pads and tampons will no longer attract the 10 per cent consumption tax. 

Wagga Women’s Health Centre manager Gail Meyer said it was about time for the tampon tax to be axed. 

“I think it’s very exciting and I think it’s well overdue,” Ms Meyer said.

“Right from when they first announced GST on sanitary products, women started protesting and lobbying for the removal and in a sense that has been ongoing.

“Now the fact that they’ve finally made the decision, is not before time,” Ms Meyer said. 

These products have long been argued that tampons and sanitary pads are essential and should therefore be exempt from the tax. 

“This will make products that are a necessity, more affordable,” Ms Meyer said. 

“I think that one of the disappointing things right from the start was that is was seen as a luxury tax and women know that these products are not luxuries, but are required.

“The fact that GST was never put on products like condoms and Viagra is disappointing, when these products are essential.” 

While the tax will not be coming into effect until January 1, Ms Meyer believed this is a step towards gender equality. 

“It’s certainly a forward step, there’s obviously a long way to go for full gender equality,” she said.

“But this was never about anything other than making money and so it was discriminatory.” 

Treasures around the country met on Wednesday morning and unanimously agreed to the Federal government’s proposal to remove the tax, which will cost them about $30 million a year in GST revenue. 

NSW treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the tampon tax wiping was overdue, but pushed for a guarantee on state GST revenue.

“It was very pleasing to reach unanimous agreement on the removal of GST on feminine hygiene products,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This is a long-overdue change, and a win for the women of Australia and the households of NSW.

“But, GST is a critical revenue source which states rely on to deliver services like quality education and healthcare, yet under the Commonwealth proposal there are a number of scenarios where NSW would lose substantial funding.”