Philip Andersen, CEO of Printing Industries says the recommendations appeared to ignore the fact that no problem existed with the Parallel Import Restrictions (30 Day Rule) before this latest attempt by the Federal Government to railroad people into believing they had found a miracle cure for a non-existent condition.

He says, “What we need is a prescription to stimulate economic recovery and good health rather than the half pregnant diagnosis proffered in this report.”

Andersen continues, “Despite the fact that overwhelmingly, the submissions made to the inquiry supported the current parallel import restrictions, including submissions from the Victorian and South Australian Government, the Productivity Commission is recommending that parallel import restrictions apply for only a limited period of time – 12 months – which will have the effect of reducing the number of books printed in Australia, particularly reprints.”

Also, according to Andersen it was simple logic that if it made sense to apply the arrangements for a 12 month period then the recommendation to introduce an arbitrary timeframe was unnecessary and should be rejected.

The Productivity Commission’s other recommendations include:

• Booksellers should be allowed to overtly offer an aggregation service for individual orders of imported books under the single use provisions

• The 7/90 resupply rule (applying to reprints) should be abolished

• The new arrangements should be reviewed five years after implementation

Hagop Tchamkertenian, national manger for policy and government affairs at Printing Industries, says the association has been invited to a round table meeting on April 8 to discuss the draft report.

He says, “Besides opposing the main recommendation that the 30-day rule should apply for a 12 month period we are also against the recommendation to hold yet another review in five years time. We have now had six inquiries during the last two decades and the Productivity Commission has the audacity to propose another inquiry while it is still in the midst of the current inquiry.”

Tchamkertenian concludes, “If these recommendations are implemented they will stifle investment and innovation and unnecessarily put at risk employment in metropolitan and regional Australia.”

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