[WKB]

It appears the the retailers are pressuring the government to impose GST on all online purchases.

In the news today

"The federal government is playing down reports it is considering applying GST on more imported goods in an attempt to help retailers struggling to compete against online shopping.

"There is no policy proposition about GST on online shopping," Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten told ABC Television on Wednesday.

Local retailers want the government to help them as the rising Aussie dollar entices shoppers to access online sites overseas for the GST-exempt purchases.

Imported goods worth less than $1000 are exempt from the 10 per cent tax.

However, Mr Shorten acknowledged the concerns of retailers.

"We'll have to work something out to see if it's administratively feasible," he said.

The opposition accused Mr Shorten of creating unnecessary uncertainty for local consumers and business in the lead-up to Christmas.

"Yesterday, he was considering imposing GST ... Today's he's not," opposition frontbencher Mathias Cormann said.

"Shorten tax policy doesn't even last from dinner last night to breakfast today."

Senator Cormann said the government always was looking for an opportunity to impose more taxes.

Current GST arrangements on online purchases from overseas did not need to be changed, he said."


Warren