Will taking GST off healthy food increase healthy eating?

25 Jul 2010 10:22p.m.

Hampster wrote:

Someone said it wouldn't make much difference as people go to Mcdonalds. But when I do supermarket shopping there is no Mcdonalds in there so choosing healthy foods becomes more cheaper if prices drop. The idea is good as done in Queensland I think but can you trust the supermarkets and the government here. When the extra GST comes in it would made good sense at that time to remove it off the good foods so price difference was greater.

23 Jul 2010 07:37p.m.

Mark wrote:

What organisation is to be entrusted with the definition of "healthy food"? I have reasons for doubting any advice the health department would have on this issue.

22 Jul 2010 04:49p.m.

George wrote:

So who wants to pay more for food?

22 Jul 2010 02:29p.m.

Ruz wrote:

A feed for one at McDonalds can cost less than $10.00. For that money, a person could buy several kg of apples, a healthy food in any body's book. I don't see many people walking around with a bag of apples under there are. So the answer is that removing GST on "healthy food" will not make much difference to those who most need it.

22 Jul 2010 01:09p.m.

David wrote:

GST should never have been put on food. To argue it would be too complicated to remove it is either disingenuous or reveals how inept our administration (ie IRD etc) is. There is no gst equivalent on food in the UK and France is mature enough to regard wine as food, therefore low tax. I like that one!

22 Jul 2010 11:23a.m.

johnmillan wrote:

Would it not help the rich to become more richer by lowering those suggested prices?My thought for the Day.

22 Jul 2010 10:33a.m.

Lightseed wrote:

Nix, most places do have a place for pots, and they do not even need to be large. There are people with apartments who having hanging baskets with tomatoes in them. I've seen apartments where they have had a small veggies garden growing on their deck. Most places have room to grow their own veggies be it in a garden or in pots. Just some people like you prefer to think it is impossible, while others makes it possible.

22 Jul 2010 06:20a.m.

Ian T wrote:

I have always thought GST to be the fairest of all taxes. I would like to see all personal tax axed, and GST increased to [say] 30 or 40%? By doing this consumers get to decide how much tax they pay by moderating their spending. Those with more money will spend more, and ultimately pay more tax. Those on lower incomes who want to spend more can learn to earn more.

21 Jul 2010 10:23p.m.

jaybee wrote:

It will only benefit those people who choose to eat healthy food.
W y can't people answer the question instead of wofling on?

21 Jul 2010 09:23p.m.

Carlos wrote:

NO, not in NZ, people always want a bargain