The government's belated move to give government school fundraising activities charitable status, free of the GST, should be matched by an amendment to ensure that political parties pay the GST, like other non-profit groups, according to Greens Senator Bob Brown.

"When the GST legislation comes to the Senate I will move amendments to clarify that political parties are not charities and therefore their fundraising is not GST-free.

"The government has only dealt with one of a myriad GST anomalies that are about to swamp community groups. Political parties should be knocked out of the queue of organisations wanting exemptions", said Senator Brown.