LOCAL booksellers would be better able to meet consumer demand for the faster delivery of cheaper books as a result of recommended changes and make bookstores more viable in the process, according to Gleebooks co-owner David Gaunt.

''I would get asked almost every day or somebody at our store about the price of a book on our shelves relative to an overseas internet supplier,'' said Mr Gaunt, a member of the federal government's advisory panel.

Prices would fall ... David Grant of Gleebooks. Credit:Steven Siewert

''We do our best but, of course, we can't match the prices.

''At least if we put the reforms into place, we can go a long way to doing that. Not only would the price of books fall, but everyone would get their books faster and there would be a resurgence in confidence among Australian consumers to buy locally.''