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Oz booksellers look for compromise over imports

01.01.70 | Philip Jones

Australian booksellers are pushing for a compromise over the Australian Government's proposed changes to Parallel Importation Restrictions.

According to Bookseller + Publisher the Australian Booksellers Association (ABA) has urged its members to contact their local member of parliament and make the case for reform. "If you are aligned with the Australian Booksellers Association's position and have supported the retention of restrictions, but have still called for some reform then your voice is needed right now," it said.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Coalition for Cheaper Books, led by the Dymocks bookselling chain, has swung its support behind a proposal advanced by smaller bookstores that does not go as far as a Productivity Commission recommendation to end restrictions on book imports.

The compromise suggests keeping import restrictions, but requiring publishers to release a local version of a book within seven days of its release overseas. Publishers now have 30 or 90 days to put out a local version of a book and be protected from import restrictions. Maree McCaskill, the chief executive of the Australian Publishers Association, said the idea was logistically impossible.

• Australia
• booksellers
• Parallel Importation Restrictions
• Philip Jones