Lipsticks, moisturisers and colognes cost Australians 200 per cent more: Choice

AUSTRALIANS are paying more than 200 per cent extra for popular lipsticks, moisturisers and colognes, an investigation by Choice finds.

A rip off . Australians pay 200 per cent more for popular lipsticks, moisturisers and colognes. (Picture: Thinkstock)

AUSTRALIANS are paying more than 200 per cent extra for popular lipsticks, moisturisers and colognes.

A leading consumer group Choice claims the differentials cannot be justified and that Aussies are being discriminated against.

Analysis by Choice finds popular lipsticks that cost $25 here are less than $8 in the US and only $15 in the UK.

"There is no way price differences of this size can be explained by the usual arguments we hear about supposedly higher costs of doing business in Australia," said Choice's Kate Browne.

While Australians are able to buy some cheaper goods direct from abroad via the internet, many overseas retailers make it impossible through IT or payment barriers.

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A federal parliamentary committee made up of Coalition and Labor MPs in July recommended measures to beat what is called "geoblocking".

Their inquiry looked mainly at computer software, hardware, games and digital music but the new Choice probe shows the "Australia Tax" is being applied more broadly.

The committee recommended the Government investigate how to "educate Australian consumers" on ways to "circumvent geoblocking mechanisms in order to access cheaper legitimate goods". It also suggested banning geoblocking.

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Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull is obliged to respond to the committee but appears to be running dead on the issue, costing local consumers billions of dollars. Mr Turnbull's office has refused repeated interview requests and won't even say what the minister's attitude to geoblocking is.

Choice's Ms Browne said: "Our advice is that if you're not happy with a price, shop around to find the best deal."

Australian consumers could check out the heavily discounted online-only retailers who primarily deal in parallel imports. Some offered free shipping, Ms Browne said.