Since Australia's introduction of the GST in the year 2000, women have been paying tax on tampons, pads and sanitary items. Today, Bauer Media has announced a campaign to remove GST from these items – an issue that affects all women, across all demographics.
The No Gender Selective Tax campaign encourages Australians to say "I agree" by signing the petition at bloodyannoying.com. Bauer's leading titles including ELLE, The Australian Women’s Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day and Money, are all supporting the campaign by promoting the need for change.
The Australian Women’s Weekly editor-in-chief Nicole Byers says, "I am proud to unite with my peers to call for the removal of the tax on sanitary items to ensure equality for all Australian women.”
“This is not about taking a political position. It’s about taking a position strongly in support of women. We are attempting to correct an oversight made when the GST was introduced in 2000 and encourage all sides of politics to come together now and do the right thing.”
Cosmopolitan editor Lorna Gray says: “I am proud to be involved in a campaign, and with a company, that is helping to drive change. This isn’t just about women. It’s about equity and fairness. The GST on tampons is effectively a tax on gender. Nothing else, male or female, is comparable. The GST treatment of sanitary products is unique.”
Bauer is recruiting familiar faces from all walks of public life, including including professional athletes, actresses, TV stars, business leaders and academics who want to support the campaign and fight for change for women.
All Australians will be encouraged to join the campaign by signing the petition at bloodyannoying.com.
