Dear Leftlinkers
How about a quick email to a few senators to help get the focus of GST
debate onto books. Address your email in the form of the following - just
substitute other surnames instead of Lees.
[EMAIL PROTECTED],
A fairly tame letter I've sent off to 7 politicians individually (took me 5
minutes) is below. I also did a quick search of the internet and found an
article opposing the GST on books which I've included in the letter to
Senators. Perhaps you could find better material to use.
Yes, I have a vested interest in this. Apart from being an avid book
reader, I'm involved in the New International Bookshop Co-operative.
Go to it if you can spare a minute.
Jim Crosthwaite
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Dear Senator Lees,
Food is currently dominating the debate about a GST. Long-standing concerns
about the cultural effects of taxing books (see article below quoting
author Bryce Courtenay) are being submerged.
I would urge you to ensure the question of 'books and a GST' gets a proper
airing in parliamentary forums, in the media and in negotiations with the
Government.
Yours sincerely
Jim Crosthwaite
6 Naroon Rd
Alphington 3078
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>From The Age 23/8/98
GST on books will `dumb' a nation: writer
By KERRY TAYLOR
The best-selling author Mr Bryce Courtenay yesterday called on
the Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, to exempt books from a
GST, saying a 10per cent rise in book prices risked ``dumbing
down'' the country.
Mr Courtenay took time off from The Age Melbourne Writers'
Festival to join writers, publishers, booksellers and the
Opposition's treasury spokesman, Mr Gareth Evans, in lashing
the proposed 10per cent tax.
[petook time off from the Age Melbourne Writers' Festival
yesterday to attack the Federal Government's plans to put a
GST on books. He was joined by other writers, people from the
publishing industry, including Mr Sandy Grant, chairman of the
Australian Publisher's Association, book sellers and shadow
treasurer, Mr Gareth Evans to launch a campaign against the
Federal Government's proposed 10 per cent GST on books as
part of their tax reform plans. ]``Every now and again
governments will do something so incredibly stupid, so incredibly
inane and thoughtless that it actually amounts to a crime," said
Mr Courtenay, author of The Power of One.
``The only way kids learn anything is through books. The
teachers are splendid, the school lessons are splendid, but
books are where the knowledge is,'' he said.
``To actually come along and say we'll up the price on the head
of a book is the most astonishing piece of legislation I have ever
heard, it's absurd.''
Mr Evans said a GST on books would result in a rapid decline
in sales.
--
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