Another weird Australian import/export data point:
A foundry I was talking to said they could (and did) buy Australian zircon sand cheaper from the US, including import and shipping chargers, than any Australian supplier.
Work that one out!
IMO most of the anomalies and disincentives are due to government and bureaucratic meddling, not to mention corporate tax rates that a well above global averages. Given that government has an appalling track record in the efficient use of capital as well as amazing incompetence in regulation (check out the recent successes of ASIC!
) they could do better to leave well alone and let the business community get on with it.