Unfortunately this ripoff on book prices is well known. It got to the point of an association of book sellers lobbying federal government to allow parallel importation of books. This was supported by the Productivity Commission, most economists and retailers. The proposition was defeated yesterday. The publishers went crazy and lobbied everybody who'd listen. They got the unions and Peter Garrett on side and the rolled caucus. There was a lot of animosity about it.
The prize for most stupid comment went to the Competition Minister who said that consumers wouldn't be hurt because of online book sales and e-books. How the retailers will survive the 75% discounts we get online is beyond me.
Parallel importation would also have allowed Amazon et. al. to sell ebooks to us directly as well. Now it's a forlorn hope.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/poli...-1225796416507
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz...1111-ia0a.html