The Australian College of Nursing would like to reiterate its position on the “tampon tax” after recent comments were made in the media about its relevance in the upcoming election.
Female sanitary items are essential items that should not incur a tax.
“Personal hygiene products, such as pads and tampons, are fundamental to a woman’s health and wellbeing,” said the Australian College of Nursing CEO, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward.
“Items such as condoms are given out freely to promote sexual health, yet when it comes to something as basic as sanitary items, women are discriminated against.”
“The nursing profession is over 90 per cent female and therefore feels strongly that women, particularly those already facing disadvantage, should not be taxed for these essential items or worse find them out of their financial reach. Sanitary products must be exempt from the GST.”
For International Women’s Day this year the Australian College of Nursing supported Share the Dignity, a national charity which provides personal hygiene products to Australian women experiencing homelessness and poverty.
The Australian College of Nursing supports and advocates equality for all regardless of gender, age, race, sexual orientation, cultural background, religious beliefs, income, education or rurality.