Australia subpoenas Microsoft, Apple to explain why products cost Aussies more

How is this "they"?

Government?

Sorry to hear Australians are getting price gouged. I hope you guys get the answers your looking for.

So, Australians pay 119 AUS? Guess what, in Denmark Office 365 Home Premium costs 800 kr., thats roughly 143 USD . Don't even wanna know what an iPad at 500 USD would cost us, but probably something like 650-800 USD.

This is truly a major problem. Whenever companies are asked about why the prices are so ridiculous, they just throw out the same lame excuses. Shipping costs, exchange rate, all B.S.

The fact that it is cheaper for me to buy a game from the UK and have it shipped over than it is for me to go down to my local game dealer (or get it off steam, in the case of new games) is just plain wrong.

Yeah it's a sad state of affairs for us all in the southern hemisphere and no matter what BS reason is given for high prices, the bottom line is greed. Look on the bright side, southern hemisphere weather is a lot better than the northern hemisphere and they can't take that away from us.

The price is whatever the market will bear ... thats capitalism ... if people stop buying the products, then the cost will come down to encourage sales.

As opposed to living in a country run by religious nut jobs who don't trust their government enough to actually implement proper gun control. Yeah it really sucks to live in Australia.

Last year, Forbes listed Australia as the Wealthiest country (or second Wealthiest depending on the graphs as they had a few) so it must really suck to be living in Australia. Especially when they have a government subpoenaing corporate giants in an attempt to give its citizens a 'fair go' -- it must be a really horrible place to live.

How is life where you live...

Various statistics gathered to make a generalised assumption are pretty much that. Actually living here is a completely different story.

Not complaining about life but am complaining about overseas companies charging a higher wholesale price for our country. We'll just bypass the local wholesale.

Wealth, well we have good social welfare and high income tax rates compared to the states so it is easier for non-wealthy people to become wealthy. Personally I'm happy to pay taxes for people to have educational opportunity and not be desperate for basics like food, decent homes and sending their kids to tertiary education. It costs very little up-front money to send a child to tertiary education here.

Australia is a great place to live...

ADHMUZ wrote "Yeah, no worries, Canada is just north of the border eh but things cost more for us too. Fortunately digital distribution doesn't fall into that category but physical goods sure as hell do. And our currency has been on par if not above what the US dollar is worth. Theres always China who will beat any price and ship it for free anywhere in the world if your not happy buying from the States."

Oh spare me, it's not even close to what the UK and Australia have to endure and I should know, I live in Canada.

It's actually great living in the best country on Earth.Unfortunately we get screwed big time when it comes to digital material.