In the lead up to the July 2 federal election, Labor has revealed it is in no rush to alter parallel importation rules (PIR) for books published in Australia, the Greens have also publicly stated their opposition towards its removal.

In releasing its ‘100 positive policies’, Labor says under its plan for the arts industry that it will approach any proposal to adjust PIR ‘with caution’.

The policy notes, “Producing more than 7,000 titles annually, this industry generates $2 billion in revenue and directly employs more than 4,000 people.

“We have heard the serious concerns expressed by our publishers and authors about the Abbott-Turnbull government’s intentions on territorial copyright, and we take those concerns very seriously.

“A Shorten Labor government would consult extensively and openly before reaching any decision on copyright changes which would have a significant impact on one of our most important creative industries.”

The Productivity Commission’s draft report recommends the removal of PIR and the introduction of a US-style ‘fair use’ system where courts determine the property rights of individual book titles. Treasurer Scott Morrison recently revealed that the Australian government would progress the recommendations of the report.  

Currently in Australia, PIR prevents the importation of commercial quantities of books without the copyright holder’s permission if the publisher makes the title available in Australia soon after its release. 

Greens candidate for Batman Alex Bhathal confirmed to Australian Printer the Greens do not support changes to the current PIR in Australia.

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