Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has turned down the idea of hiking GST (goods and services tax) across the country, despite recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to do so.
Chalmers, who is visiting the United States to meet with global financial leaders, said making changes to the GST was not a priority for the federal Labor government.
In its most recent annual review of Australia, the IMF recommended the GST’s coverage be expanded to include currently exempt items such as healthcare products.
The health portfolio, it estimated, would likely erode the current revenue generated by GST in the country….