GST

You'll get my vote. GST is a tax on the poor. Low-income families spend all of their income and hence pay more GST proportionally than high-income families who can save and/or spend on things that don't attract GST (like overseas trips and investment properties).

I think we should lower it as a transitional step.

Yep. Remove GST entirely. It is a poor tax. Replacee i5 with a Financial Transaction Tax at a tenth of a percent,

It may be necessary to lower GST in quite quick stages (@reidalexanderwicks) because of the impact it has on supposed 'inflation'.. Other than that there is no good to be said about a GST. It is a flat rate tax which is no good at all for the poor. I also agree with @wadevuglar.

The "good thing" about GST is that it generates tax income from visitors. Most places without a GST still have GST on "tourist" things, like hotel rooms and rental cars.

@marcwhinery Good point, especially considering how much we like to boast about our tourism industry.

I definitely agree with a GST reduction or removal. Keep GST on manufactured products and services, but I think that most things available in the supermarket should be GST-free (with the exclusion of unhealthy and "treat" foods). Put an additional "trans-fat tax" on takeaways and over-processed foods (not processed like milk/bread/butter). We have excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol (that keep increasing every year), so i think it's very hypocritical to not have one that includes high salt & fat-laden food.

Having GST on some good but not others is a huge administration nightmare which will cost more than it ever saves.

Whether you raise it, lower it, or keep it the same - just don't make it inconsistent. It might feel "right" to have sugary/fatty foods cost more, but the admin is a disaster. Deal with that problem another way.