Australian student leaves politician speechless with online petition against the tampon tax
Video: Vimalarajah's petition has nearly 100,000 signatures
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It's not often a politician is left flummoxed on live television. It's even rarer when they announce a change in government policy at the same time.
That's exactly what happened when a female student down under left the Australian Treasurer speechless after she started an online petition calling on the government to repeal the tampon tax.
Sanitary pads and tampons currently attract the 10 per cent Goods and Services tax in Australia, whereas condoms and sunscreen do not.
So, Sydney University student Subeta Vimalarajah started a petition and addressed the Australian Treasurer, Joe Hockey, about what he would do about the "unfair" tax.
Watch Vimalrajah address Mr Hockey on Australian TV:
Vimalarajah spoke to Mr Hockey on ABC TV, asking him "Mr Hockey, do you think that sanitary products are essential health good for half the population?"
The question seemed to surprise Mr Hockey, who gave a memorable series of expressions as he tried to come up with a response:
Eventually, Mr Hockey said: "Do I think that sanitary products are essential? I think so, I think so."
Pressed on the matter, he said that he would raise the issue at the next meeting of representatives from the states of Australia.
Vimalarajah's petition has nearly 100,000 signatures.
However, despite Mr Hockey saying he would look into repealing the tax, the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, has distanced himself from any such decision.
"I understand there's long been a push to take the GST off goods, which are one way or another regarded as health products," Mr Abbott said.
"It's certainly not something that this Government has a plan to do."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments