From what I have read on this subject, the dating does relate to the parchment (papyrus), not the ink. The type of script used on the papyrus in question is apparently evidence that the text that is visible was written much later, likely written over the top of earlier writings (papyrus was scarce and hence re-used). This is not challenging to orthodox Muslim beliefs. Still it is a fascinating subject that highlights a vulnerability of Islam. If there emerges text that is identical or very similar to text in the Koran and that text is proven to have been written before Muhammad, then that will be a real head spin for most Muslims. It would prove that the text was not revealed to Muhammed after all but was actually already in circulation. It may be that a uniform religious text was gathered together at the time from existing material by the new Arab empire for political purposes. The story of Muhammad may have been a massive embellishment on a kernel of an idea (political leader and warrior who preached a faith). Most knowledge of Muhammad is drawn from hadiths (a collection of sayings and stories of the prophet) that were only compiled much, much later (around 300 years later). There are many contradictions in the hadiths, providing evidence of different stories being spun for political expediency by competing political operatives. This is a view suggested by Robert Spencer in his book "Did Muhammad exist? ...". Of course I am not Muslim and I maintain the right to question faiths or any other dogma or body of thought.

There is likely a couple of things occurring: 1) The US is the market where standards are set. Australia is a peripheral market that follows the standards set elsewhere, almost regardless of price. Hence, the price is lower in the US to make sure the product is the standard. Profits are then generated in wealthy peripheral markets where high mark-ups can be established. 2) There is a widespread perception that the Australian dollar is very over valued. Companies may set prices higher in anticipation that the currency will eventually fall in value. 3) The Australian economy is relatively strong compared to the US economy. Hence, there is different set of demand curves in Australia. The Australian government could pass some regulation forcing companies to sell their products in Australia at their lowest global price after adjusting tangible cost differences or not sell at all. This would probably be breach of the US-Australia free trade agreement though...