Calling the decision to not push up the Goods and Services Tax (GST) next year “timely and compassionate”, SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan opined that this would have a "positive effect" for the Government in the coming General Election (GE). "It demonstrates what the Government can do. If this is a criterion for good governance, then I think Singaporeans will respond accordingly when it’s time to vote,” she added. SMU Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan also agreed that the package would help to “reduce the sting” of an impending GST hike in the next GE. The Government would find it harder to persuade voters if it did not have a clear plan on how it would help Singaporeans. However, he is sure that the issue will still be raised during the election campaign because it is something that affects everyone.