Adelaide book printer Griffin Press CEO Ben Jolly has condemned the government’s proposal to remove parallel importation rules, stating the Australian book publishing industry could soon ‘disintegrate’.
Australian book printers will be under threat if the government follows its scheme to repeal parallel importation rules (PIRs), and Jolly has publically stated his support for the publishing industry with plans to attend a media call today held by Senator Nick Xenophon.
The PMP-owned trade book printer employs some 105 staff, and deals with many local companies Jolly says will be heavily affected by relaxed importation restrictions.
“What is frustrating about the uncertainty that lies ahead is there is no real evidence consumers will pay lower prices for their books nor will availability improve if PIRs are removed,” says Jolly.
“But there is a very real possibility the whole local publishing and print industry could disintegrate. These include Adelaide’s carton makers, cover embellishment and sheetfed printers, plus local digital and conventional printing support engineers.
“The changes would also impact on paper manufacturers in Tasmania,” he added.
[Related: Industry slams Turnbull govt over PIRs]
HarperCollins Australian publishing operations director Robyn Fritchley also stands firmly against the removal plans, echoing the negative effect PIR removals could have on the print industry.
“Innovations in Australian digital print technology and supply methods means we are looking to on-shore as much book production as possible,” says Fritchley.
“The government’s plan to repeal parallel importation rules (PIRs) would reverse that trend because print runs would become smaller and less economical forcing us back to overseas supply.”
Jolly and Fritchley joined best-selling Australian authors and illustrators at Xenophon’s media call today in a bid to defend home grown content against a move that would see offshore publishers and printers as winners.
Griffin Press -owned by parent company PMP – is regarded as the largest digital book printer in Australasia after it inked a $3.2m per year deal with HP Inc for seven years for the supply of digital presses and finishing equipment.
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