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The Morrison government should broaden the base and lift the rate of GST, said the CEO of the Institute of Public Accountants.
“When you look at the rising costs of the Australian population versus the forecast growth in government revenues, Australia simply can’t afford itself,” cautioned the CEO of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), Andrew Conway.
The IPA is advocating for a discussion on broadening the base and lifting the rate of GST, Mr Conway said.
“We have to empower politicians to talk about GST,” said Mr Conway.
“We didn’t hear GST mentioned much during the campaign. But what we have to say to the government and the Parliament more generally, is that we need them to talk about lifting the rate and broadening the base of GST.”
The government, however, turned down suggestions that it is considering broadening the GST base over the weekend, following media reports that the ATO had called for a review of the GST on certain exempt food items.
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age reported earlier that the ATO has argued for the GST to be imposed on a broader range of foods, with the aim to end confusion within the food industry.
Responding to the claims, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann told reporters in Perth on Saturday, that the government has “no plans at all to broaden the base of the GST”.
He added that if the government had such plans, it would have taken them to the Australian people before the election.
The ATO also played down the report, explaining that its role is to administer the tax and super system, and not to advise on policy.
"The ATO routinely prepares a range of internal working briefs to consider administrative options, many of which do not progress to Treasury or to government," an ATO spokesperson said.