To raise or not to raise GST & Taxes? A recent controversial debate.

On Wednesday, treasury boss Martin Parkinson says the goods and services tax will have to be boosted or broadened if the budget is to have any hope of returning to surplus.

Read Article: GST must rise as deficit decade looms for budget, says Treasury boss Martin Parkinson.

In response, the Abbott government has dismissed Mr Parkinson's proposition.

'Treasurer Joe Hockey's office rejected the suggestion that the government would raise the GST to plug holes in the budget.'

“We are not changing the GST – full stop, end of story,” a spokeswoman for Mr Hockey said. “Our position hasn’t changed.”

Read Article: Joe Hockey rejects Martin Parkinson's call to raise GST.

Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Photo: Michel O'Sullivan