'No menstruation tax!'
By Kamala Emanuel
HOBART — Seventy people, predominantly women, demonstrated outside the office of Liberal senator Eric Abetz on February 11 to protest plans for the GST to be levied on sanitary products, such as tampons and pads.
Organised by the Hobart Women's Health Centre, the speakers included Vicki Rutter from the Women's Electoral Lobby (WEL) and Fran Bladel, the state government's spokesperson for women. Both speakers highlighted the discriminatory nature of a tax on products which are used only by women and are essential for women's normal participation in society.
WEL distributed information pointing out that health is not just the absence of disease, but also includes well-being. For women, health issues include menstruation, pregnancy, lactation and menopause.
Sunscreen, folate tablets, condoms and sexual lubricants are to be GST-free. The refusal to exempt sanitary products and breast-feeding aids illustrates blindness to women's health needs.
Rutter pointed out that it's not only the "menstruation tax" that will affect women. The experience in New Zealand shows that a GST disproportionately affects all those on low incomes and sole parents, the majority of whom are women.
Participants were entertained by the duo Basic Black and Ready to Go, who sent up the government's sexist tax. The International Women's Day rally in Hobart on March 11 will provide another opportunity for people to express their opposition to the GST.