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As Predicted, Commission Wants to End Books Protectionism In Australia After Three Years

July 14, 2009
By Michael Cader

Per our story yesterday, Australia’s Productivity Commission has indeed concluded that “restrictions on the parallel importation of books result in higher local book prices” and recommended an outright repeal, “with the industry having a period of three years to adjust before the changes take effect.” They do concede that enaction is likely to “cause some contraction or slowing in the growth in the book production industries.” If enacted, the $2 billion Australian trade market would become a significant growth market for exports from UK and US publishers.

In balancing the decision, the commission suggests “that the current range of grants and other financial assistance be refined to better target the local writing and publishing that adds cultural value to Australian society.” And they  propose that “the outcome from the repeal…be monitored and assessed five years after their implementation.”

While the current rules provide benefits to local authors and publishers (as well as local printers), the commission concluded the system is a “poor means of promoting culturally significant Australian works” since “they do not differentiate between books of high and low cultural value” and “the bulk of the assistance leaks offshore.” Meanwhile, “most of the costs are met by consumers, who fund these benefits in a non-transparent manner through higher book prices.”
Full report
The Sydney Morning Herald blog report below also has over 20 comments that show how various sides view the report.
SMH

Filed Under: Distribution, Free, International News

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