Appointment of Public Lending Right Committee Chair

The Albanese Labor Government has today announced the appointment of Ms Olivia Lanchester as Chair of the Public Lending Right Committee.

The Committee is responsible for determining eligibility and approving payments under the Public and Educational Lending Right Schemes, which compensate Australian creators and publishers for the free multiple use of their books in public and educational libraries.

Ms Lanchester is currently CEO of the Australian Society of Authors and a director of the Australian Copyright Council.

She has also worked with the Australian Publishers Association, Australian Booksellers Association and the Australian Library and Information Association,

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said Ms Lanchester’s experience and knowledge made her a perfect fit for the Committee.

“Olivia is very well-regarded in Australia’s literature sector as a passionate advocate for Australian stories.

“The Committee’s role is increasingly important as we modernise the scheme to include audiobooks and eBooks for the first time under Revive, Australia’s new National Cultural Policy.

“I know Olivia will play a central role in ensuring writer and publishers receive the funding they deserve.”

Biography:

Ms Olivia Lanchester is the CEO of the Australian Society of Authors and Company Secretary of Authors Legal and has experience advising on every aspect of publishing. She has worked on industry agreements and protocols with the Australian Publishers Association, Australian Booksellers Association and the Australian Library and Information Association. Ms Lanchester is currently a director of the Australian Copyright Council and International Authors Forum and previously worked as an intellectual property lawyer in private practice and as a freelance editor.