Greens back online shopping GST call

4 Jan 2011, 4:06 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Online shopping has grown in popularity in recent months (Getty Images)

Online shopping has grown in popularity in recent months (Getty Images)

Retailers calling for the government to scrap the GST threshold on internet shopping have found a surprise ally in Greens leader Bob Brown.

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Retailers calling for the government to scrap the GST threshold on internet shopping have found a surprise ally in Greens leader Bob Brown.

A group of Australian retailers launched an advertising campaign on Tuesday urging the government to lower the GST threshold on internet shopping.

Currently, no GST is imposed on goods that are bought from international websites for less than $1000.

Acting Attorney-General Brendan O'Connor indicated on Tuesday the government would not change the laws, but Senator Brown said it should reconsider.

"GST on imported goods is a reasonable thing," he told reporters in Hobart on Tuesday.

"Why should the shop up the street have to charge GST for its customers but the shop selling goods out of Tokyo or California not have to charge GST?"
 

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Your Comments

Greens = nutters

Justine Clarke - from Newcastle, NSW, 1 year

I'll tell you why Tokyo or California should not have to charge GST: 1. GST is an AUSTRALIAN tax. 2. The USA has it's own tax. a. When someone in the USA buys from Australia, they don't have to pay our GST. b. When someone in Australia buys something from the USA, we don't pay their tax. This is 100% balanced and fair, so leave it alone you greedy UNAUSTRALIAN retail GRUBS! And it doesn't surprise me Brown supports it. The majority of the Greens' policies are anti-human.

Seriously

Ronnie - from NSW, 1 year

I don't care what Bob thinks. The majority are saying they would be prepared to pay gst on the online purchase, but, all data is saying it would cost more to collect the gst for online purchases then what would come in - thus the looser would be the australian tax payer. Australia is a free country, we should be able to shop where and when we please, not allow some pompous thing dictate to us 'you just don't get it' or are unaustrralian. Real debate is about the costs we Aussies choose to pay

Tariffs anyone?

Beni MC - from Maroochydore, 1 year

I agree. And bring back tariffs. An interesting parallel anyway, bigger debate.

Bob your kidding right?

Surprised - from Sydney, 1 year

I always thought you were pretty astute if sometimes misguided Bob. This is NOT about GST Bob. Its about Aussie retailers ripping us off. Do some research man! You just lost any chance of me ever voting greens again!

meh

J - from Syd, 1 year

of course he would agree.. Its more money for the government!

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