11 September 2015

Arts Minister Senator George Brandis has announced the appointment of Ms Louise Adler AM as the inaugural Chair of the Book Council of Australia, and released the Terms of Reference.

The Book Council will provide advice to the Government on strategies to strengthen the profile of Australian literature and literary non-fiction. It will bring important focus and attention towards promoting Australian writing nationally and overseas; developing and extending audience engagement with Australian literature; and nurturing a vibrant reading and writing culture.

$6 million over three years has been committed to the Council and the funding of initiatives it recommends.

The Book Council of Australia has been established following wide-ranging consultation with the sector which demonstrated the importance of collaboration in responding to existing and emerging challenges.

Read the full Book Council of Australia media release.

Read the Terms of Reference.