Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Communications) Share this | Hansard source

As I advised in my previous answer, that's not in my purview as the Minister for Sport, Minister for Regional Communications and Minister or Rural Health. Under the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations and Commonwealth legislation, a change to the rate or the base of the GST would need to be supported by all states and territories in addition to the passage of relevant legislation by both houses of the Commonwealth parliament. As advised by the Treasurer, sections 38 to 47 of A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999, relate to other GST-free health goods. Any changes to that would need states and territories to unanimously agree. State and territory treasurers are welcome to propose items for the agenda of the meeting for the COAG Council of Federal Financial Relations. I would encourage you, Senator Leyonhjelm, seeing as you feel so strongly about this matter, to make representations to individual states on your position.