The benefits of reading for pleasure were highlighted in the House of Representatives last week, as part of discussions around the Creative Australia Amendment (Implementation of Revive) Bill.
Speaking in the House on Thursday 27 June, Special Envoy of the Arts, Susan Templeman MP, said:
“Australia has so much to gain from a thriving literature culture. Research has established clear wellbeing benefits from reading. Reading slows the heart rate. Twenty per cent of regular readers say that it reduces their stress, and 43 per cent say it improves their sleep. Regular reading deepens our empathy with others and enriches our understanding of the world around us. Nineteen per cent of readers say that reading reduces loneliness. By investing in writing and reading, we’re investing in the vitality of our culture and the wellbeing of the Australian people…”
Graham Perrett – co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Books & Writers – also championed the benefits of reading and declared there was a ‘clear need to support the sector as a whole’.
“Australia Reads tells us that national reading rates are falling. A recent study showed that 25 per cent of Australians did not read a single book over the course of a year. New technologies are also changing the landscape. Writing Australia will promote Australian literature while applying innovative approaches to funding models tapping into the commercial sector. As I mentioned, a lot of people now are listening to books, which is another way to access good writing. It will invest in a network of key organisations and develop sector initiatives at a national level. All of this will lead to increasing markets both at home and abroad. We want Writing Australia to become a hub for writers, illustrators and publishers so that they can be front of mind during policy development and all benefit from these partnerships.”
Australia Reads supports the creation of Writing Australia, and will continue advocating for a national strategy for reading, and targeted campaigns to increase participation in reading for pleasure.