National reading campaign proposed for Australia

A national reading campaign has been proposed in submissions for Australia's next National Cultural Policy to address declining reading rates and literacy. Survey data shows 25% of children do not receive bedtime stories, one-third of students struggle with reading proficiency, and many adults read less than intended. The Grattan Institute estimates the economic cost of poor reading skills at $40 billion over students' lifetimes. Proposed measures include a book voucher scheme, increased library funding, support for bookshops as community hubs, and promotion across media and public spaces. Precedents include Italy's campaign that delivered 1.4 million books to school libraries and Scotland's Read, Write, Count program. The Australian publishing industry coalition (ABA, ALIA, APA, ASA) under the banner Books Create Australia supports the initiative, arguing that a nation of regular readers is healthier, happier, and smarter.