The ASA applauds the Australian Government’s establishment of the new body for literature, Writing Australia, and the appointment of the advisory council. Through Writing Australia, the Australian Government will provide over $26 million in funding over three years, with ongoing annual funding of $8.6 million.

‘This is a landmark moment for Australian writers, illustrators, and the book industry,’ ASA CEO Lucy Hayward says. ‘Our sector has been sidelined for many years – Writing Australia represents a real opportunity to develop a long-term strategic plan as part of a national vision for writing, books, and reading.

‘Authors make an essential contribution to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of our nation. This investment in literature will not only benefit creators, publishers, libraries, and booksellers, but the whole community. We thank Arts Minister Tony Burke and Creative Australia for delivering on the promise set out in the National Cultural Policy, Revive, and for this vote of confidence in the enormous potential of the book industry.

‘We look forward to working with Writing Australia to help build sustainable careers for creators, support a thriving publishing industry and literary ecosystem, and cultivate a nation of readers.’

The ASA also celebrates the appointment of the Writing Australia Council, representing a strong author voice with the inclusion of Chair, Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO, and authors Professor Sarah Holland-Batt, Sally Rippin, and Christos Tsiolkas.

ASA Chair, Sophie Cunningham says, ‘Writers sit at the heart of our national culture and Writing Australia is a much-needed step towards supporting Australian authors, at a time when writers’ incomes are under more pressure than ever, and attacks on the concept of copyright and freedom of speech are making a difficult — albeit rewarding! — profession even more challenging. The presence on the council of four excellent authors who know first-hand the struggles we writers face, not to mention the inclusion of impressive colleagues in the aligned fields of film and theatre, will help ensure the council represents the broad face of the book industry in this country.’

Writing Australia Council Members are:

• Professor Larissa Behrendt, Chairperson
• Rachel Bin Salleh OAM
• Professor Sarah Holland-Batt
• Sally Rippin
• Dr Tim Jarvis
• Tommy Murphy
• Julie Pinkham 
• Claire Pullen
• Christos Tsiolkas

Writing Australia, sitting under Creative Australia, is set to:

• Support writers and illustrators to create new works
• Invest in a network of key organisations delivering public value for Australians
• Develop national industry initiatives and international markets to maximise exposure and access to global markets
• Establish a national Poet Laureate to promote poetry and mentor up-and-coming poets
• Deliver the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

Read Minister Tony Burke’s announcement and find out more on the Creative Australia website.