Bauer Media Brands Unite Against Tampon Tax with the "NO GENDER SELECTIVE TAX" Campaign

SYDNEY, Australia, July 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Bauer Media announces the launch of its 'No Gender Selective Tax' campaign, a push to end what is essentially a tax on being a woman.

The 'No Gender Selective Tax' campaign is a major initiative to remove the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from the price of tampons, pads and sanitary items for all Australian women.

For high-res images, please visit the Multimedia News Release:
http://news.medianet.com.au/bauer-media/bauer-media-brands-unite-against-tampon

The campaign encourages Australians to say "I agree" by signing the petition at bloodyannoying.com [http://www.bloodyannoying.com/].

Since the introduction of the GST in 2000, women have been paying tax on tampons. By contrast, condoms and Viagra have always been GST exempt. Tampons are almost the only essential item that is purchased exclusively by one sex, meaning that the GST on it directly and solely penalises women.

As a champion for all Australian women, Bauer's leading titles have united to promote the need for change, with 36 media brands, including ELLE, The Australian Women's Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Woman's Day and Money Moneyrting the campaign.

Nicole Byers, Editor-in-Chief of The Australian Women's Weekly, says: "I am proud to unite with my peers to call for the removal of the tax on sanitary items to ensure equality for all Australian women."

"This is not about taking a political position. It's about taking a position strongly in support of women. We are attempting to correct an oversight made when the GST was introduced in 2000 and encourage all sides of politics to come together now and do the right thing."

Lorna Gray, Editor of Cosmopolitan, says: "I am proud to be involved in a campaign, and with a company, that is helping to drive change. This isn't just about women. It's about equity and fairness. The GST on tampons is effectively a tax on gender. Nothing else, male or female, is comparable. The GST treatment of sanitary products is unique."

Effie Zahos, Editor of Money, says: "Women spend around $300 million* a year on sanitary items, with an estimated $30 million on GST. This is an unfair cost for women, imposed on them for just being a woman.

"When you consider women who are homeless or living in poverty, the GST makes an already expensive but essential item even more so. It is time to do what most fair-minded Australians know is the right thing to do."

As this is an issue that affects all women, across all demographics, Bauer is recruiting familiar faces from all walks of public life, including professional athletes, actresses, TV stars, business leaders and academics who want to support the campaign and fight for change for women.

The 'No Gender Selective Tax' campaign is the latest in many initiatives Bauer and its titles are leading in its mission to publish 10 million words by 2019 towards a more equal future for women.

Bauer Media's 'No Gender Selective Tax' campaign launches today across all of Bauer's print, digital and social media channels, reaching 8.5 million** Australians. All Australians will be encouraged to join the campaign by signing the petition at bloodyannoying.com [http://www.bloodyannoying.com/].

-ENDS-

For more information:
Philippa Giles, Thrive PR
E: [e-mail]
M: [phone]

Source:
*Parliamentary Budget Office, 2015 
**Roy Morgan single source, March 2018

About Bauer Media:

Bauer Media is Australia's leading cross-platform publisher connecting with 85% of Australian women every year committed to driving a better female future. Through key lifestyle categories - Women's Entertainment & Lifestyle; Fashion, Beauty & Health; Homes; Food; Motoring & Trader - we create influential content for more than 37 brands including The Australian Women's Weekly, Woman's Day, TV WEEK, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Australian Gourmet Traveller, Australian House & Garden and Wheels.  Across magazines, digital, social media and live experiences, we attract high-value audiences, creating customers for our commercial partners. Bauer Media's digital brand networks include Now To Love, Homes To Love, Food To Love and reviews and rewards sites such as beautyheaven. Bauer Media is part of a global network with a presence in 17 countries across four continents producing more than 600 magazines, 400 digital products and 100 TV and radio stations. For more information, visit baueradvertising.com.au [http://www.bauer-media.com.au/]