E-Petition

The Petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House that since 2007, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has not been updated to keep pace with inflation. As prices have risen, the real impact of GST on everyday goods and services has increased, placing growing pressure on households.

As the cost of living rises, Queenslanders are paying more GST simply because prices are higher, not because they are better off. This means consumers are paying the impact of GST earlier and more heavily, contributing to the cost-of-living crisis.

Many consumers are now paying GST on products and services they should not reasonably be paying it on. This includes second-hand goods, where GST has already been paid at the time of original purchase. Charging GST again increases costs and discourages reuse and recycling.

This issue is also harming small businesses, particularly those that cannot pass GST costs on to customers without losing sales. These businesses are forced to absorb GST, reducing already tight profit margins.

In 2007, an income of $75,000 had far greater purchasing power than it does today. Adjusted for inflation, that income is now equivalent to approximately $125,000, yet GST thresholds have not kept pace.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all within its power to review and update GST laws to reflect inflation, remove GST from second-hand goods, increase the GST threshold to $125,000, and apply GST based on profit rather than total revenue.