We've had a transactions tax in the past - two in fact.

The Financial Institutions Duty was levied on bank deposits.
The Bank Accounts Debit tax was levied on withdrawal. It was called the BAD tax for a reason.

Both were discontinued as part of the GST compensation because they were inefficient and a drain on economic activity.

So why resurrect something that's been tried and rejected.

rehctub, which economists were talking about a carbon tax versus increased GST and where was this reported? Before entering into a discussion on the merits, or otherwise, of this it would be useful to see what those who proposed it had to say.