Online Shopping and Retailer Advertiing

Now the Big Retailers have started an advertising blitz to wind back public opinion on the benefits of Online Shopping it will be very interesting to see if they manage to sway any of public opinion, the Federal Government with regard to GST on articles under $1000 or other smaller businesses.
As a mere consumer, in a time of rising basic costs of living (water, electricity, food, petrol), discretionary spending is the area I'm most willing to control. I personally believe in living within my income, saving some $$ for a rainy day and purchasing quality goods for the best possible price.
I have subscribed to various Choice Consumer Magazines for years and access their premium content via my public library portal. I fully support Christopher Zinn and Choice Magazines stand on why the Big Retailers need to do more than just try and tax us more. I use websites that give me what I want - access to quality goods at a good price, with appropriate consumer support in term of warranties, Australian or OS affiliations etc.
If we are slugged with extra taxes the underground market for goods will only skyrocket and Australian businesses will get further left behind.
My partner runs a small business  - if he doesn't make the goods properly, to a high quality and get it overseas on time then he suffers. He uses his website to promote ordering but doesn't have the sophisticated web presence that may help improve his sales. He also struggles with payroll taxes,  employment conditions, being located in Australia rather than the US, like many others. The Internet has allowed him to develop his business more easily up til now. What the future holds is up to him and his workers.