OECD calls on Australia to raise GST and increase affordable housing amid budget deficit

The OECD’s economic survey of Australia urged the Albanese government to broaden the GST and consider lifting the rate above 10%, with the proceeds used to reduce Australia’s overreliance on personal income tax. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

The OECD has called on the government to broaden the GST, do more to reduce greenhouse emissions and adopt ambitious social housing targets as part of its annual economic survey of Australia.

Ahead of Jim Chalmers’ fifth federal budget in May, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said Australia’s economy was “now normalising”, after struggling through a lengthy period of weak growth following the pandemic.