FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST GUARANTEE NO TAX ON FOOD FAVOURTIES
The Member for Berowra, Philip Ruddock MP has failed to rule out new taxes on food favourites such as Vegemite and jam.
“There were clearly no guarantees the Rudd Government would not seek to increase prices on a wide variety of food in its ideological fervour to decide what it thinks is right for Australian consumers,” Mr Ruddock said.
“The iconic Aussie favourite, Vegemite, will remain on the nation’s supermarket shelves, but the Government has clearly avoided the question of whether Labor intends to slug consumers with new taxes on it and other favourites.
“Australians don’t want extra pressure on their budgets because of a new Labor tax,” Philip Ruddock said.
A report in The Australian (Thursday 8th January) indicated that a government taskforce may recommend major tax and regulatory changes to control fat, salt and sugar content in food and drinks.