Dear Mrs Irwin

I refer to your letter dated 16 September 2009 attaching the petition submitted to your Committee, from citizens of central Victoria, regarding the review by the Productivity Commission of the provisions relating to the parallel importation of books under the Copyright Act 1968. I acknowledge the position put forward in the petition urging the Government to reject the recommendations of the Productivity Commission to remove the restrictions against the parallel importation of books.

The Government is carefully considering this matter, particularly in regard to the impact of the recommendations on key stakeholders. The Government will respond to the Productivity Commission report in due course.

From the Attorney-General, Mr McClelland