Treasurer rejects Warringah MP Zali Steggall’s calls for COVID-19 masks to be GST free

Independent Warringah MP Zali Steggall is calling for masks to be tax free. But the Treasurer John Frydenberg has rejected it. What do you think?

Zali Steggall MP is calling for masks to be tax free. Picture: Supplied.

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Warringah’s independent MP Zali Steggall is calling on the Federal Government to make face masks GST-free.

It comes as the number of people being required to wear them in Australia grows and follows an appeal by NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian earlier this month for people to wear them on public transport and in supermarkets.

This week Ms Steggall launched an online petition, urging the government to drop the tax by adding face masks to Schedule 3 of the GST Act, which dictates which medical aids and appliances are not subject to GST.

A member of the Sydney light rail cleaning team is seen wearing a face mask at Randwick Station. While face masks have not been made mandatory in New South Wales, state Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged residents across the NSW to wear face masks when on public transport, in the supermarket, or in enclosed spaces where social distancing is difficult. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

She said she will be writing to the Treasurer and state and territory leaders to urge them to remove the GST, to ensure the masks are affordable to all Australians.

In Victoria, masks are now compulsory and in states like NSW masks are being

recommended by the government, businesses and organisations.

“We need a national approach to ensure face masks are accessible and affordable to all

Australians,” Ms Steggall said.

“Such a necessary item should not be taxed. We have the Prime Minister sitting with the

National Cabinet I think this should be on their agenda as something to talk about.

“I urge the Prime Minister and state premiers to remove the tax. It’s a simple step they can

take to help the adoption of people wearing face masks.”

Mreasurer Josh Frydenberg speaking at a press conference in Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

However, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg responded to Ms Steggall’s call saying that the Morrison Government was already providing Australians with an unprecedented $314 billion in support during COVID-19.

“Face masks are subject to GST but are tax deductible if used for work purposes,” he said.

“Any change to the GST would require the support of all the states and territories.

“The Morrison Government continues to provide an unprecedented level of economic support to Australians through JobKeeper, the coronavirus supplement, $750 cash payments and the CashFlow boost to small businesses.”

See Ms Steggall’s petition here: https://www.zalisteggall.com.au/petition_to_remove_gst_from_face_masks