Matthew RimmerI watched the Minister for the Arts the Hon. Tony Burke introduce the Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026 (Cth) into the House of Representatives today https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7465 Here is an excerpt from his speech:
'The Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026 is an important step forward in recognising and supporting Australian creators and publishers. It brings together the Public Lending Right and Educational Lending Right schemes into a single, contemporary legislative framework, replacing the Public Lending Right Act 1985 and ensuring these vital programs remain fit for purpose....
In 1974, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam approved the Public Lending Right scheme with a clear vision of fairness—one that recognised the value of authors' work and the importance of supporting Australian voices. More than 50 years later, that vision remains just as relevant.
In the 2024-25 financial year alone, more than 17,000 payments were made to eligible Australian creators and publishers through the scheme, totalling $28 million. For many creators—authors, illustrators, translators, and editors—these payments are not supplementary; they are a reliable and meaningful source of income. Lending rights payments help make it possible for Australian stories to continue to be written, published, and shared.
This bill also reflects the way Australians now read and borrow books. Through our national cultural policy, Revive, the government has invested in modernising lending rights to include digital formats. E-books and audiobooks are now a normal part of library collections, and it is only right that creators are recognised and compensated for their use in these formats as well.
The Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026 secures these reforms in legislation and provides a clear, modern framework for the future. It ensures that our lending rights schemes continue to support Australian creators, adapt to changing technologies, and strengthen our cultural life.'
Public and Educational Lending Rights (Better Income for Authors) Bill 2026
Helpful information Text of bill First reading: Text of the bill as introduced into the Parliament Third reading: Prepared if the bill is amended by the house in which it was introduced. This version of the bill is then considered by the second house. As passed by
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Wonderdog