I'll give a perspective as a brazilian.
I don't know about Australia, but in Brazil we don't pay much taxes (actually if there's something we love is paying taxes) as we only pay 45% on average. Yes, you read well: FORTY FIVE.
If you have time, google translate this: http://especiais.g1.globo.com/economia/2015/quanto-pagamos-de-impostos/
Some examples:
- We pay 82,52% on Vodka.
- We pay 33,08% on cellphone (but I think this number it's outdated)
If I try to import something from US, I would pay 60% of the product price plus other taxes on the product.
So I only have one tip on taxes: if you can, don't pay them.
Sorry about my shitty english
Hahaha! Your English is fine man! :]
It is OK to tax alcohol, I love drinking beer and spirits, if it weren't taxed so high I would probably be dead by now, and the whole area around the graveyard contaminated.