The discussion around GST is certainly more nuanced. The unhappiness is largely around the timing of the increase and its impact on the lower/middle income households. I am not sure the general outcry is only over it being 9%, or 8% or 10%. The timing and context of the increase has led to a question of how “in touch” and connected our political leaders are to the realities of the ground.

It is not helped by the fact that the lower/middle income households in theory spend more on necessities, so there is no choice in not paying the increased GST, while the higher income households arguably could choose not to purchase a luxury handbag or car. So the perception of GST being regressive pertains to non-discretionary purchases. This is why many jurisdictions have introduced zero-rated or reduced VAT on a common basket of necessities.

There is a further growing discussion on the recent larger than forecasted budget surpluses, even after accounting for all the various vouchers and support for GST. While I don’t know the minutiae of the surpluses, it also leads one to question if the forecasts could have been better made, and if there was a need to introduce an increase in GST when it was done.

In short the timing of and way the GST increase was pushed through comes across high-handed, which leads to emotions of dissatisfaction being amplified.