When the Howard Government introduced the Goods and Services Tax to Australia on July 1st 2000, it wasn’t welcome for a host of reasons. As you do, we’ve learned to live with it… EXCEPT FOR THE UTTERLY LUDICROUS TAX ON WOMEN’S SANITARY PRODUCTS.
Health products are supposed to be exempt from GST, so it’s rather infuriating that tampons wear a tax when items like suncream, condoms (and apparently cock rings) are GST free.
The Women’s Electoral Lobby attempted to challenge the rule before GST was even introduced but on January 21 [2000], Health Minister Dr. Michael Wooldridge said tampons and sanitary napkins were not health products, dismissively comparing them to shaving cream.
Sadly, the Rudd Government still thinks it’s perfectly acceptable for women to be taxed for menstruating.
So we’d like to give a thumbs-up to Coles (supermarkets) for their: You shouldn’t be taxed for being a woman-sale on sanitary products.
Yes, it is just a sale (it’s only on for the next week) and it is just a clever marketing campaign, but still, good on them for helping to resurface this idiotic injustice against women.
If you want to make some noise about it, add your name to the online petition started in 2006 by Australian feminist Clem Bastow or join her Facebook Group: Remove the GST from Pads & Tampons (currently 1,423 members).
And, of course, feel free to vent your opinion on the comment box…
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been reading along for a while now. I just wanted to drop you a comment to say keep up the good work.
I just read that the government makes about $25million a year on the tax from women’s pads, tampons and the rest.
No wonder they don’t want to cut the GST!! This infuriates me. I can’t believe we’ve been protesting against it for like 10 years and STILL nothing has been done.
Sanitary items cost a small fortune! I’d love it if I had the option NOT to buy the stupid stuff but what am I going to do? Protest about it by bleeding everywhere?
WAKE UP GOVERNMENT
Wow this is crazy..didn’t know about this idiotic tax! Might be a good business idea..GST Free Sanitary Supplies!
Reusable Menstrual Alternatives, aka “Glad Rags”. I’ve only just heard about this site (via a male friend, mind you, haha) http://www.gladrags.com/ …… wow.
I’m not sure how I feel about these “things” as an option.
Would LOVE to hear from anyone who has tried these, or similar.
I live in the UK but haven’t used tampons for a good few years now and when I return to Australia I won’t be using them there either: I bought a mooncup and haven’t looked back since. They are superior to tampons in so many ways, here’s a few:
Environmental: mooncups are made from reusable silicone, rather than land- and water-intensive, pesticide-filled cotton tampons which means a much lower footprint. Plus instead of using literally hundreds of tampons a year (go on, count them up) and having to dispose of all of that waste, you simply tip it out and reuse it again and again. No tampons floating in the sea. This should be enough reason to switch all by itself.
Cost: it’s a one-off charge. I bought mine for £18 which meant I had ‘paid for’ it in under 6 months. Tax that!
Health: Because you don’t have a ’super absorbant’ piece of cotton wool in you soaking up everything you have to offer (ie your menstruation and all your natural lubricant), your internal flora is maintained which means less thrush and dryness. This is heaps better for having quickies and zero risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. You can boil the mooncup after each period to sterilise it (although you don’t have to – simple soap and warm water is enough).
Misc: I found the cup leaks less than tampons do. Learning to use it takes some thought and a little bit of practice but once you’ve got it it’s a cinch. Yes, your fingers get a bit bloody but hello, this is your blood! your body! big deal. Anyone who uses non-applicator tampons will have no problem with the amount as it is no more messy using the cup than it is using that sort of tampon. If you use applicator tampons and can’t stand the idea and are having difficulty reading this then the mooncup is probably not for you… but I think you should have a good long look at your attitude toward and acceptance of your own body!
What else… it’s totally comfortable, means you don’t have to faff with those horrible smelly disposal boxes in the toilet cubicles, you don’t need a sink or anything, pull it out, tip it out, whack it back in, away you go. Great for festivals like Burning Man where you can’t chuck anything in the portaloos. Great full stop.
Hope I’ve convinced even just one person out there… and no, I’m not on commission! I’ve converted three of my friends so far, and wish I could more but it’s not always the sort of subject that comes up round the dinner table (wonder why??!). Because there is no ongoing cost with them it’s not a huge money-spinner, hence the lack of advertising. They depend on word of mouth. Fortunately, the product is so good and so much better to use that even though it’s not a dinner party conversation, word is slowly spreading.
Good luck and I’m sure you’ll be sold if you give it a go!
Emma xx