The latest Labor caucus meeting hosted a vigorous debate on the issue, with those in favour of retaining the status quo loudly applauded, especially when the threat of an Americanisation of Australian culture was raised.

Labor’s cross factional working group on the issue has argued for the retention of the existing legislation, which prevents publishers importing overseas books for 30 days after their release, and say its supporters, contributes to the growth and development of Australian culture.

The PIAA says the Australian book printing industry, centred in the Victorian town of Maryborough with McPhersons and Griffin Press would suffer significant damage from a change to the rules, which would likely result in a flood of cheap books produced by overseas printers coming into the country.

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