20/07/2023

The Australian Publishers Association condemns attempts to ban books from Australian shelves and schools, particularly harassment of the staff and creators who get books into the hands of Australian readers.

The right to read is a human right. The freedom to write, publish and read the books we each choose is at the heart of our democracy. The threatening actions of a small number of individuals should not have the licence to change this fundamental right.

Books have the power to help us to understand ourselves and the world around us, and should be readily available to all Australians.

Australian publishers are experts at creating and curating quality books for all ages. They employ skilled staff, carefully assessing and developing titles that are relevant, appropriate and appealing to readers. They will continue to do this work.

Our country’s bookstores and libraries need our support, as they face ongoing pressure to remove books from their shelves. We are proud to support publishers alongside the passionate authors, illustrators, booksellers and librarians who are such an essential part of our country and culture.