The Australian book industry awards night heard proposals would reduce authors’ control of copyright and flood market with cheap overseas editionsMagda Szubanski said she would consider leaving the country and called for writers to go on strike. Richard Flanagan called for the resignation of arts minister, Mitch Fifield. Tim Winton said the Turnbull government was about to kick a “massive own goal”.On a night designed to celebrate the triumphs of Australian literary culture, there was no escaping the overriding message of doom: that the Australian book industry is in peril because of proposed changes to copyright law and import restrictions.My message is really simple: if this comes in, I will not write another book and I will really start thinking about leaving the country. Because the financial cost of being here is becoming ridiculous. I’ve stayed in this country because I love it. I feel I’ve made quite a contribution to the arts and culture here, and we should be recompensed properly. In order to write my book it took me eight years. I took time off from work, I took out a loan. I’ll be lucky if I break even. To actually stand by while sanctioned theft takes place? Do you think I’m a complete fool? It just can’t be allowed to happen. Related: Be under no illusion: Malcolm Turnbull wants to destroy Australian literature | Richard Flanagan Think: books like Possum Magic, The Book Thief, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, The True History of the Kelly Gang, The Slap,... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2016-05-20 00:00:00 UTC ]