Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Tyson
Yeah, they recommended it be scrapped. The publishers lobbied against it. So the government said, fine 'on your own head be it, you'll get no help from us.'
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The Productivity Commission recommended that parallel imports of books be allowed, but the publishing lobby was successful in convincing the Govt to not change the existing system. Dymocks lobbied hard the other way, because as a retailer it can't parallel import, while individuals can. Publishers are not suffering yet, but once Dymocks (as the only large chain left - Collins is not big enough) goes under then publishers will suffer as it will be difficult to showcase their books.
http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/study/books
Personally, I won't pay that much for books any more, and if there are Australian authors who aren't published overseas and can *only* be bought at the inflated prices, well, that's what libraries are for. On a trip to the US last year I came back with a suitcase full of books - and that is not an exaggeration.