Like many things in life, there are many factors:
1. Supply v demand: Aust is a small country with a small population. Therefore any niche products simply dont move as fast or in the same volume. This means there are fewer suppliers, therefore less competition, therefor higher prices.
2. Free trade v tarrifs: Even through we have "free trade" agreements with many countries, many of them have high tarrifs against imported goods. So Aust retaliates in return and slap on high import tarrifs on niche products - we end up paying more.
3. Labour v currency: Countries like China have almost endless cheap labour. They also artificially keep their currency low in order to keep their products competitive. The rising Aussie dollar only made it even more attractive. This is realised for TVs and high volume consumer goods, but not for niche products, see points 1 and 2 above.
3. Subsidies v middlemen: Many countries subsidise their industries (think car manufacturing in Aust). That means overseas suppliers can artifically keep their costs down, but once their products move down the supply chain, the prices increase in order for the Govt to recoup their subsidies.
4. IP v innovation: Many tech/intellectual products carry hefty IP rights and they are not covered by free trade. Patents on these products also have a very long shelf life, so the developers can recoup their R&D investment. In the industry I work in, a scientific journal is marked up by 400-600%, and similarly for standardised scientific tests/testing products.
The list can go on, but I think you can get my drift.
My whole point is, there is no simple explaination, nor is any attempt at simply explaining it going to resolve the issue.
To misquote a smart person: I dream the day when chickens can cross the road without someone questioning their motivation
Bo