Any move to add the GST to fresh food would be yet another setback for health from a government determined to wreck Australia’s health system.
WA Premier Colin Barnett is calling for changes to the GST so it covers fresh fruit and vegetables.
If Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey agree to their Liberal mate’s demand the price of fresh and healthy food will rise, making junk food even more attractive.
With around 1 million Australians already living with diabetes, a tilt in the tax base away from healthier food can only worsen health outcomes.
Coupled with a government that has slashed spending on preventative health programs, cut funding to health organisations and seeks to impose a GP Tax on visits to the doctor, a GST on fresh food would be yet another assault on health from the Abbott Government.
The Abbott Government must rule out putting the GST on fresh food. Anything less is just another broken promise to families which will increase the cost of living and worsen health outcomes.