Why cameras in Australia are so expensive, especially DSLR?

Question

I am a fan of DSLR camera.

After the release of Nikon D300, I have been to many shops in Adelaide, South Australia to find the cheapest price. But it seem to the lowest price for this body (D300) is $2500 AUD. How can this be true?

Other DSLR cameras are also a couple of hundred dollars more expensive. On ebay, or in Vietnam, they sell the D300 body for just $1600 - $1700 and max $1750. In Hochiminh city, Vietnam, they also sell those cameras in stores, that mean they do have to pay for tax.

1.5 years ago, i bought my Nikon D50 for $1000 just the body. So, it was about $400 dollar more expensive than in Vietnam or ebay.

In America, they also sell the Nikon D300 for arround $1700.

Is that because in Australia, sellers have to import goods from America and they have to mark up their price that high for profit?

One more example: The Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro lens for Nikon cost arroun $370 or $360 USD in America and other Asian countries. In Australia, SOuth AUstralia, $700!!

Answer 1

I have an uncle that lives in Australia. He says that most things in Australia are more expensive and often older than in the states. The reasons are high import duties and a desire to promote domestic products.