I guess the lesson here is not to invest in aviation in Australia. CASA takes no account of jobs and investment - quite the reverse from the rest of the world.
I have probably paid US$10,000 in freight costs on. the project so far. Everything has to come from the USA, right down to drill bits, almost all from Spruce. The only easily available stuff is "fastenings" - cheaper than Bunnings from a wonderfully helpful Australian business.
I now understand exactly why Ansett set up its little supply company in Los Angeles all those years ago.