Australian authors fight American language infiltration

OUT goes "tap" and in comes "faucet". And perhaps worst of all, "Mom" will replace "Mum".

This is what Australian children's book readers can expect if restrictions on parallel importation 'are lifted, according to a group of Queensland authors.


Writers including James Maloney, Michael Bauer and Sheryl Gwyther who gathered in Brisbane City yesterday said if restrictions on the parallel importation of books were lifted, we risked losing Australian stories.


Protest organiser Ms Gwyther said authors were worried about the whole book industry.


"We would see American language in our books, Australian authors would find it difficult to get published and new authors wouldn't be taken on," Ms Gwyther said.


"And it would wipe out hundreds of jobs in the publishing industry."


Mr Maloney said the move was being pushed by a group calling itself the Coalition For Cheaper Books.


But he said there was a broader issue about protecting Australian culture.


"We're under threat all the time from films, fast-food outlets - all these kinds of things - now it's turned to books," he said.


The Productivity Commission is reviewing laws that prevent booksellers from importing titles from overseas markets.


The restrictions mean overseas publishers cannot immediately sell in Australia to the Australian market - local publishers are offered the chance to publish the book first. -- Couriermail.com.au