The nation's leaders have agreed to broaden the GST to cover overseas online transactions under $1000 and haven't ruled other changes to the tax.

Following Prime Minister Tony Abbott's leaders retreat with premiers and chief ministers, a formal statement released on Thursday said there was an agreement to refer this issue to a meeting of the country's treasurers.

All leaders agreed to keep options on the table for future tax reform, including GST and the Medicare levy
https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/leaders-agree-end-gst-free-225708855.html

This makes COAG worthwhile for a change.

the public should boycott all the whingers that bought this on ... start with harvey norman and work from there.

It will still be cheaper buying overseas so this is just gouging household budgets.

____ wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 11:50am:

It will still be cheaper buying overseas so this is just gouging household budgets.

X 2

This is annoying as hell.

It ignores the "Australia Tax" online where stores often list near Australian prices in USD. Steam for example is already generally more expensive for new AAA games than JBhifi. It also ignores the Australian dollar is collapsing making online purchases less and less viable.

Throw Australia tax on top of digital purchases tax on top of exchange rate on top of GST and you are causing a huge mark up in prices.

John Smith wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 11:07am:

the public should boycott all the whingers that bought this on ... start with harvey norman and work from there.

I agree. last year I shelved a purchase from Havey Norman last year when he was going on about this.  You kick me I kick back

John Smith wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 11:07am:

the public should boycott all the whingers that bought this on ... start with harvey norman and work from there.

No changes to GST, wasnt that the promise?

ImSpartacus2 wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 12:30pm:

John Smith wrote on Jul 23rd, 2015 at 11:07am: the public should boycott all the whingers that bought this on ... start with harvey norman and work from there. No changes to GST, wasnt that the promise?

sounds vaguely familiar

ImSpartacus2 wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 12:30pm:

John Smith wrote on Jul 23rd, 2015 at 11:07am: the public should boycott all the whingers that bought this on ... start with harvey norman and work from there. No changes to GST, wasnt that the promise?

I think Abbott wants to collect the full set of broken promises from that infamous interview.

Kiron22 wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 12:24pm:

This is annoying as hell. It ignores the "Australia Tax" online where stores often list near Australian prices in USD. Steam for example is already generally more expensive for new AAA games than JBhifi. It also ignores the Australian dollar is collapsing making online purchases less and less viable. Throw Australia tax on top of digital purchases tax on top of exchange rate on top of GST and you are causing a huge mark up in prices.

We've had a Senate inquiry where we had a parade of various technology companies front the Senate and offer lame excuses for why they are ripping Australians off.

The "Australia Tax" overcharging is so ridiculous that it was (probably still is) possible to fly return to the USA and purchase one copy of a high-end software product, and spend less doing that than we would spend at the Australian outlet.

Nothing has been done about the Australia Tax because it would affect Australian retailers. Australian retailers are going to have to cut their prices sooner or later. It is inevitable.

a stupid decision that will change absolutely nothing for local retailers, raise nothing in effective revenue and annoy everybody.

only COAG could come up with something so astonishingly pointless.

The absence of GST on online international purchases was never a policy for the benefit of the consumer. They just could not figure out how to apply tax. Its complicated.

Could you just put in "Notes"/"Special instructions" say if I was buying a $800 video card or something, "Can you say this was $10 or just not put the price on the box at all" or do they have to mark correct price to export?

issuevoter wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 1:48pm:

The absence of GST on online international purchases was never a policy for the benefit of the consumer. They just could not figure out how to apply tax. Its complicated.

ever wondered how customs are going to charge this? Ive had this happen to me before and it is complicated AND expensive. Customs charges the GST AND customs import duty (no one talks about that, do they?). Then you have to go and pick it up yourself, pay the amount plus the $50 processing charge. And if you are 'lucky enough' to have it sent by courier, they will pay all this for you and then you ahve to pick it up from them and pay yet another $10 in their fees as well.

I recall a $280 import (back when the limit was $250) costing me an additional $150.

I predict a massive backlash against this because the online economy is huge and I am sure you will all enjoy queuing at customs to pick up your parcels.

Kiron22 wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 1:54pm:

Could you just put in "Notes"/"Special instructions" say if I was buying a $800 video card or something, "Can you say this was $10 or just not put the price on the box at all" or do they have to mark correct price to export?

customs routinely inspect all parcels coming into australia for contraband etc but also for UNDER-DECLARED value. You risk being made to pay the extra amount anyhow plus a penalty or having it confiscated and destroyed.  Generally, overseas sellers wont do it as it will make their parcels prime targets in the future.

I can't help but notice that it's the lefties, those who leap to the defence of corrupt unions, those who scream about any underpaid wage etc etc, who are the very people who won't support local jobs even in this tiny tiny way of making the playing field level.

Just shows you what their selfish, greedy standards are.

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 3:29pm:

I can't help but notice that it's the lefties, those who leap to the defence of corrupt unions, those who scream about any underpaid wage etc etc, who are the very people who won't support local jobs even in this tiny tiny way of making the playing field level. Just shows you what their selfish, greedy standards are.

speaking off selfish, what do you think about business insisting govt. charge taxes to others while demanding their taxes get reduced??

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 3:29pm:

I can't help but notice that it's the lefties, those who leap to the defence of corrupt unions, those who scream about any underpaid wage etc etc, who are the very people who won't support local jobs even in this tiny tiny way of making the playing field level. Just shows you what their selfish, greedy standards are.

Why should I support local businesses that price gouge? I've worked in retail, the markup on products is insane, especially software.

Pay your taxes and stop your bloody whinging.

An end to GST full stop would be the best outcome for everyone.

bogarde73 wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 3:29pm:

I can't help but notice that it's the lefties, those who leap to the defence of corrupt unions, those who scream about any underpaid wage etc etc, who are the very people who won't support local jobs even in this tiny tiny way of making the playing field level. Just shows you what their selfish, greedy standards are.

or it shows you that you totally miss the point.

I'm happy to buy local, if they charge a fair mark up for their products. That doesn't mean they should be allowed to rip of their staff either. 300 to 1000% markup is not fair by any stretch of the imagination

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 3:52pm:

An end to GST full stop would be the best outcome for everyone.

[smiley=tekst-toppie.gif]

longweekend58 wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 1:36pm:

a stupid decision that will change absolutely nothing for local retailers, raise nothing in effective revenue and annoy everybody. only COAG could come up with something so astonishingly pointless.

Ah, Grasshopper - I see your couple of days in the punishment barrel have worked wonders...

Keep up the good work.....

John Smith wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 3:54pm:

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Jul 23rd, 2015 at 3:52pm: An end to GST full stop would be the best outcome for everyone. [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif]

A ban on retards being able to post would be good too.  ::)

innocentbystander. wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 4:00pm:

John Smith wrote on Jul 23rd, 2015 at 3:54pm: Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Jul 23rd, 2015 at 3:52pm: An end to GST full stop would be the best outcome for everyone. [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif] An ban on retards being able to post would be good too.  ::)

but then you'd have nothing to occupy your time.

This is just joe pandering to one of 20k business meetings , he thinks its going to pay off the massive debt , lol not his court case, the massive national and budget deficit he has doubled and added 100 billlllllion dollars to.

Its time wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 4:36pm:

This is just joe pandering to one of 20k business meetings , he thinks its going to pay off the massive debt , lol not his court case, the massive national and budget deficit he has doubled and added 100 billlllllion dollars to.

You can hear Kate Carnell schlicking herself on Radio National already with the rise in GST news and and GST on imports.

It was originally set at $1,000 because it was not economic to recover. Admittedly computers make it easier, however computer operators cost money.

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 3:52pm:

An end to GST full stop would be the best outcome for everyone.

and reduce your pension of course as 'compensation' as well as increase income taxes significantly.

lee wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 5:11pm:

It was originally set at $1,000 because it was not economic to recover. Admittedly computers make it easier, however computer operators cost money.

actually it was $250 for a very long time and before that $100.  it was increased in line with inflation. and the problem is not computer operators, it is how they collect the money from you.  The postie isnt going to Collect it. You have to go to Customs and pick it up and pay there.  Really convenient, right?

this idea will be back-pedalled quickly when it is realised that it is no good for anyone.

longweekend58 wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 5:15pm:

lee wrote on Jul 23rd, 2015 at 5:11pm: It was originally set at $1,000 because it was not economic to recover. Admittedly computers make it easier, however computer operators cost money. actually it was $250 for a very long time and before that $100.  it was increased in line with inflation. and the problem is not computer operators, it is how they collect the money from you.  The postie isnt going to Collect it. You have to go to Customs and pick it up and pay there.  Really convenient, right? this idea will be back-pedalled quickly when it is realised that it is no good for anyone.

My understanding is that they are going to push the GST collection responsibility onto the financial institution that the payment goes through.

This solves the additional cost to government by putting it onto the institution which will therefore attach an additional charge to the customer making the transaction 12.5% to 15% effective GST.

I vaguely see a number of problems and workaround conditions with much confusion.

longweekend58 wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 5:12pm:

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Jul 23rd, 2015 at 3:52pm: An end to GST full stop would be the best outcome for everyone. and reduce your pension of course as 'compensation' as well as increase income taxes significantly.

rubbish ..... the pension would be reduced by the same amount it was reduced when they removed the carbon tax  :D :D

Dnarever wrote on Jul 23^rd, 2015 at 5:39pm:

longweekend58 wrote on Jul 23rd, 2015 at 5:15pm: lee wrote on Jul 23rd, 2015 at 5:11pm: It was originally set at $1,000 because it was not economic to recover. Admittedly computers make it easier, however computer operators cost money. actually it was $250 for a very long time and before that $100.  it was increased in line with inflation. and the problem is not computer operators, it is how they collect the money from you.  The postie isnt going to Collect it. You have to go to Customs and pick it up and pay there.  Really convenient, right? this idea will be back-pedalled quickly when it is realised that it is no good for anyone. My understanding is that they are going to push the GST collection responsibility onto the financial institution that the payment goes through. This solves the additional cost to government by putting it onto the institution which will therefore attach an additional charge to the customer making the transaction 12.5% to 15% effective GST. I vaguely see a number of problems and workaround conditions with much confusion.

well that will be a disaster of epic proportions. Firstly, it wil require the co-operation of foreign banks, foreign sellers and govts. Yeah, that will work well. do we collect VAT for the UK govt?  I can certainly see paypal telling the govt to get stuffed and I doubt VISA is going to be terribly interested either.  and how do you tell if a credit card purchase is not in fact GST free? If you are buying medical goods or books or some other GST -free items, how will the bank know?

no one has thought this through very well.