A new year means new rules and regulations. From the tampon tax to youth allowance and personal income tax, these are the new laws slated to kick in during 2019.
From the 1st of January, the 10 per cent GST on tampons and other sanitary pads is no more. The newly GST-free products include tampons, disposable and reusable menstrual pads, menstrual cups, panty liners and period or leak-proof underwear.
It comes after 18 years of lobbying from advocates who said it was unfair to tax sanitary products when items such as condoms and lubricants were exempt.
Meanwhile, there'll also be changes to the way some of Australia’s biggest credit card issuers hand out new cards. Providers such as American Express, CommBank, Westpac and NAB have agreed to offer the ability to request a credit limit reduction or card cancellation online and to stop providing unsolicited credit limit increase offers. They've also agreed to, before issuing a card, properly assess whether a new customer can afford to repay the credit limit within three years.
Also from the 1st of January, the "No Jab, No Play" policy will be enforced in childcare centres and schools to try and stop contagious diseases from spreading. Schools must collect immunisation records, and may be shut in the event of an outbreak of vaccine-preventable contagious illnesses. It brings Western Australia’s laws into line with Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
