Below: On May 27, 2015, 7 News ran a report indicating that a majority of states and territories supported removing the GST from sanitary products. The report gives a brief history of the issue in Australia.
Below: On May 15, 2015, the current affairs site The Point supplied background information on moves to remove the GST from sanitary products in Australia.
Below: In August 2010, the Australian Sex Party produced a campaign advertisement opposing the GST on tampons as part of Mark Coleman’s campaign to be elected to the West Australian Senate.
Below: In September 2009, Fox TV presented a comment by Rick Tyler in which he opposed taxes being placed on a variety of goods, including tampons, in order to fund President Obama’s health care insurance scheme. Tyler seems to recognise that there will be many who find a tax on tampons inappropriate
On May 29, 2015, ThinkProgress.Org published an article by Tara Culp-Ressler titled 'After Years of Backlash, Canada Ditches the 'Tampon Tax'''
The article discusses the Canadian government's recent decision to make tampons and other feminine hygiene products GST-free and considers the impact the decision may have on the issue in other countries such as Australia.
The full text can be accessed at http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/05/29/3664080/canada-tampon-tax/
On May 28, 2015, The Sydney Morning Herald published an opinion piece by Jessica Irvine titled 'We should be paying GST on tampons: removing it is a tokenistic distraction'
The article explores whether removing the GST from tampons is a good idea or whether Australian consumers should pay GST on more goods and services. The article concludes that while the GST needs to be reviewed, removing GST from tampons is poor policy and a distraction from larger issues.
The full text can be accessed at http://www.smh.com.au/comment/we-should-be-paying-gst-on-tampons-removing-it-is-a-tokenistic-distraction-20150528-ghbpmz.html
On May 28, 2015, Daily Life published a comment titled 'Tony Abbott has a tampon problem on his hands'
The article discusses Treasurer Joe Hockey and Prime Minister Tony Abbott's reactions to the suggestion of removing GST from tampons as well as the reactions of previous politicians when the issue has arisen in the past.
The full text can be accessed at http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/news-features/tony-abbott-has-a-tampon-problem-on-his-hands-20150528-ghauqz
On May 28, 2015, SBS published a news report by Stephanie Anderson titled 'Tampon tax protesters gather at Parliament House'
The story reports on protesters against the GST on tampons gathering on the lawn of Parliament House, dressed as giant tampons and lobbying politicians for their support. This page also includes video.
The full text can be accessed at http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/05/28/tampon-tax-protesters-gather-parliament-house
On May 27, 2015, ABC News published a 'fact check' titled, 'Fact check: How can the GST on tampons be scrapped?'
The report looks into the claim that the federal government needs the approval of the states to remove the GST from tampons and comes to the verdict that there is no legal barrier to the federal government changing the GST without state and territory support.
The full text can be accessed at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-27/how-does-scrapping-the-gst-on-tampons-work/6500774
On May 27, 2015, The Sydney Morning Herald published a news report by Judith Ireland and Gareth Hutchens titled 'Most states back scrapping GST on tampons'
The article discusses the stance of the various Australian states and territories on removing the GST from tampons, including who supports the proposal, who opposes it and who supports it with certain conditions.
The full text can be accessed at http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/most-states-back-scrapping-gst-on-tampons-20150526-gh9xsy.html
On May 27, 2015, ABC News posted a report by Emma Griffiths titled 'Tampon tax: Tony Abbott says removing GST on sanitary items "certainly not something Government plans to do"'
The article discusses Tony Abbott's statement that the Australian federal government currently has no plans to make changes to the GST and that the matter is one for the state governments.
The full text can be accessed at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-26/tampon-tax-tony-abbottsays-no-federal-push-removing-gst/6498230
On May 26, 2015, BBC News published a story titled '"Tampon tax" paid around the world'
The article discusses Treasurer Joe Hockey's promise to cost the removal of the GST on tampons and gives an overview of the world situation, indicating the extent to which female hygiene products are taxed in various countries including the USA and Canada.
The full text can be accessed at http://www.bbc.com/news/world-32883153
On May 25, 2015, ABC's Q&A televised 'Joe Hockey on the Tradies vs Ladies Budget'
Among other issues surrounding the latest federal budget, Treasurer Joe Hockey was questioned by a young activist on whether or not he considered tampons to be essential products and his views on removing the GST from them.
A full transcript can be accessed at http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/txt/s4219741.htm
A Safe World for Women published a opinion piece by Emily Rudling titled 'Sanitary Pads - Still a 'Luxury Item' in Australia!'
This article argues that sanitary pads are a necessary health item on a comparable level to condoms and sun block. The article also gives a detailed history of the issue.
The full comment can be accessed at http://www.asafeworldforwomen.org/global-news/australasia/australia/4744-luxury-item.html
