Pete don't think that it is only in Aus that this happens. In South Africa it is the same import duties and people making a quick buck out of even the average person as well as the rich is the name of the game here. I imported a Duc from the UK a few years ago and with shipping charges, relevant duties and taxes paid I got it in to the country R30,000 cheaper than what Ducati SA was selling it for. Their excuse was that there was price increase but that was BS as I did not pay any extra to the supplier in the UK from the time I paid for it till it was delivered 4 months later.
Everything is cheaper in the US and we get told that in other countries things are mor expensive because of the low market volumes what rubbish.
Right get off my box now.
Regards