I think I'm getting hot under the collar ...

The Productivity Commission has just released a report to the Federal Government on how books are sold in Australia. I'm new to this discussion and a touch green; but, based on what I've read, if the report's recommendations are followed, it will be bad for Australian authors and damaging for the Australian publishing industry.

From what I can gather, if the market's 'supports' are removed, as per the report's advice, at least 4 negative consequences are likely:

(1) Australian authors will lose their territorial copyright protection, which in many cases will mean they have to accept the lower royalties of overseas' publishers (7.5% on a paperback in the US vs. 10 to 12% in Aus.), and, in some cases, if remainders of their books from overseas markets -- i.e. books that haven't sold and are deemed to be passed their used-by date -- are sold in Australia, the authors could get zero royalties.

(2) The big guys -- "Dymocks in cahoots with Coles and Woolworths," to quote Richard Flanagan in his address to this year's Sydney Writers' Festival -- will increase their market share, squeezing out many small, independent book retailers.

(3) Overseas' editions of Australian books change words -- up to 500 words -- meaning Australian readers could be reading about sidewalks (footpaths), trash cans (rubbish bins) and bathrooms (toilets) in books written by Australian authors!

(4) Rather than being fostered by a slightly protective market, talented Australian writers, both established and up-and-coming, will, at best, be supported by public money, i.e. government grants doled out by beauraucrats.

Here's an excerpt from The Australian Society of Authors' press release:

The Australian Society of Authors rejects the findings of the Productivity Commission on the Parallel Importation Restrictions of Books into Australia. “If these changes are implemented by government, Australia will become an international laughing stock,” says Dr Jeremy Fisher, ASA Executive Director. “Removing the territorial copyright of books will simply destroy our hard-won literary culture. There will be no benefit to anyone – authors, booksellers, publishers, printers and readers will all suffer.

The following, by Michael Heyward, managing director of Text Publishing, are worth reading: On a thriving literary culture, and Changing book import rules.

Author Richard Flanagan also made an impassioned speech on this topic at this year's Sydney Writers' Festival -- it is a magnificent if not at times overblown piece of rhetoric. I'd be happy to email to it to anyone wanting a copy.