COMPUTER giants Apple and Microsoft will be asked to defend their pricing policies at a federal parliamentary inquiry into why Australians pay far more for music and game downloads than overseas customers.

Labor MPs hope publicity generated by challenging the companies will result in lower prices and put an end to local consumers being ''fleeced''.

Illustration: Matt Golding

The Minister for Communications, Stephen Conroy, has signed off on the inquiry, which will also consider the pricing of software and other IT-related material.

The terms of reference are being finalised by Senator Conroy, but the inquiry will begin later this year and be conducted by the House of Representatives standing committee on infrastructure and communications.