The Australian Greens will mount a Senate campaign to protect the diversity of the Australian book industry for writers and readers, as the Federal Government considers handing over greater control to big book chains.

Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown said that a recent report from the Productivity Commission that recommended the scrapping of parallel import restrictions on books would, if adopted, simply hand more profits and power to big book chains, squeezing out small, independent publishers and book stores, and reducing support for new and established writers.

"We are facing a big business takeover of Australian writing, as large volumes of generic, unsold books from overseas are dumped here."

Senator Brown called on the Prime Minister to rule out any changes to parallel import restrictions on books.

"Australians don't want bookstores operating like big supermarket chains, and the Greens will be doing everything in our power to preserve diversity in the Australian book industry."

Further information: Russell Kelly 0438376082 ends