Happy ending for book import saga

Printers around Australia rejoice over the Federal Government’s rejection of proposals to remove the parallel importation restrictions on books.

Federal Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, Craig Emerson, announced the decision earlier today coinciding with a rally of printers, authors and publishers in Melbourne’s CBD to protest against the Productivity Commission’s recommendation for an end to territorial copyright.

Printing Industries CEO, Philip Andersen, said the government’s decision to support the position of Printing Industries and the book printing industry, the Australian Book Publishers Association, authors and readers and the majority of state premiers marked the successful end to a campaign that had spanned more than 18 months.

“While it has been a very long and costly campaign, and a stressful time for the thousands of people who livelihoods were at risk, everyone can rest assured that their efforts were worthwhile and have been rewarded with a just decision,” he said.

“Considering that this was the sixth examination of the legislation by government authorities in the past 20 years, I think it proves conclusively that the current legislation is sound and that the industry and the thousands of people it employs can now move forward.”

Andersen said he supported Emerson’s comments on letting the market dictate its own commercial conditions.

“We are all aware of the challenges from electronic media and the publishing-to-market time requirements. It’s all part of what our industries are currently dealing on a daily basis. The Australian book printing industry is both commercially sustainable and environmentally friendly in contrast to some other communications mediums,” he said.

“In contrast to any other communications product, Australian produced books, along with other printed matter, are recyclable and originate from wood fibre that is sustainably harvested from plantation forests. These forests create additional carbon storage with every regrown tree. No other medium can claim such sustainability.”

Andersen also thanked Emerson and the government for making the right decision and his ongoing consultation with all affected parties to ensure the best possible outcome was achieved.

“I hope this marks the beginning of a new, proactive relationship in which any future matters involving government authorities can be resolved through co-operative discussion.

Pictured:  Staff from McPherson's at Wednesday's protest in Melbourne.

“In particular I would like to acknowledge and thank the people of Maryborough in Victoria; Bendigo Federal MP Steve Gibbons; the Mayor of Central Goldfields Shire Council, Chris Meddows-Taylor; McPhersons Print Group management and staff from Maryborough, Griffin press management and staff from South Australia and all our local Printing Industries members who were in Melbourne today for the rally.  Acknowledgement must also be given to Ligare Pty and the other book printers who provided continuous support throughout this campaign.

“This has been an unparalleled campaign with associations, unions, politicians at all levels and the public working for a common goal, which we can finally celebrate achieving today,” he said.

For Cliff Bigstocke, CEO of PE-backed Opus Print Group, who has actively been involved in the fight to keep the 30-day rule ever since talk of its abolition, the decision was  welcome news.

"The pleasing thing for me is that the government has listened not only to printers, but publishers, authors and the community," he said. "It means that onshore printers can compete against offshore printing."