Peak horticulture organisation, Growcom, said that the impact on the health of Queenslanders, particularly in regional areas, should be carefully considered by governments before broadening the Goods and Services Tax base to include fresh food as part of reforms of the taxation system.
Chief Advocate Rachel Mackenzie said the discussion from a number of politicians and finance sector commentators about what could be done to modernise the tax system had included a suggestion in recent days to model the New Zealand approach with 15 per cent GST on a broader base which included fresh food.
“Growcom is concerned about the negative effect this would have on consumer behaviour,” said Ms Mackenzie.