We're talking largely about reducing the incidence of poverty--that's what your brief is about. There are government members who honestly believe that reducing the GST is a very good thing for those most in need, because they may not pay income tax but they buy stuff.
As you point out, they pay the same for a passport as somebody who makes $200,000 a year. So it is a regressive tax in every sense.
I'm just trying to point out that it's my belief--and I want to see if you concur with this--that reducing the GST is not a very effective way of assisting those who are most in need.