Each year the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AmCham) runs a number of successful political delegations on issues core to the success of US businesses in the Australasian region and bilaterally in both Australia and the US.

Most recently eBay’s Kristen Foster, Director, Government Relations, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South East Asia, participated in AmCham’s Canberra Doorknock where the delegation, led by Mr Niels Marquardt, AmCham CEO (and former US Ambassador) met key politicians and Government officials. eBay participated in meetings with other members of AmCham’s Trade and Government and Taxation Committees. Key meetings included the new trade division of the Commonwealth Treasury and the Chair of the Standing Committee on Taxation and Revenue, the Hon Kevin Hogan MP.

eBay focused its representations on the Australian Government’s proposals regarding the Goods & Service Tax (GST) on overseas online shopping and the dangerous precedent that Bill, which is currently before the House of Representatives, and which will be before a Senate Inquiry on 21 April, could potentially set for other markets to follow. AmCham lodged a submission to the Senate Inquiry into that matter on 6 April (as did eBay this week) which strongly opposed the Bill. Click here to see AmCham’s submission.

Next up, eBay will again join the annual Washington Doorknock in June, alongside other members of the American Chambers of Commerce in the Asia Pacific and will make the case for improving the systems for taxation and trade for companies doing business between the US and Australia.