“Australia has enjoyed unbelievable sporting success this year, however the greatest challenge to our sporting future will be the impost of a 10 per cent tax on all sporting activities”, Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Kate Lundy, said today.
“Our sporting success has been built on the basis of equal opportunity and access for all Australians – but the GST will impose an unfair and discriminatory tax on every sporting activity.
“The GST will impact on our future sporting success because it creates a financial barrier by taxing participation, spectators and club members.
“The hypocrisy of the Government is staggering. On the one hand they talk about the need to have a healthy active society and then they slap a tax on playing and watching sport.
“My greatest concern is that the GST taxes physical activities involving young people.
“Many young people spend their limited money on sports-related activities. They will not be receiving any tax concessions from Treasure Costello, which means the GST will hit them hardest.
“Young athletes will face a tax every time they enter a competition or become a member of a sporting club.
“They will be taxed on all sports coaching clinics, including learn-to-swim classes and fitness classes.
“They will be taxed every time they buy tracksuits, runners, shorts or team uniforms.
“They will be taxed on every piece of sporting equipment purchased.
“1999 has been a phenomenal year for Australian sport, but our next generation of sports stars face a bigger hurdle next year – paying 10 % more every time they want to play or watch sport.
“We are world champions in Rugby Union, Cricket, Tennis, Surfing, Hockey, Rugby League, Netball, Baseball and individually we have dominated world in swimming, athletics, squash, tenpin bowling, archery and sailing – but this success will not continue if sport is taxed beyond the reach of young Australians,” Senator Lundy said.
107/99. .
