BRUSH WITH SHAME
Indigenous artists getting 50c for $60 Games boomerangs
ABORIGINAL Gold Coast artists are being paid as little as 50c for souvenir boomerangs sold at the Commonwealth Games for up to $60.
They also receive $5 for painted emu eggs, which retail on the official Games website for $130. Gold Coast business Jabiru Boomerangs has been contracted by the Games to provide the indigenous souvenirs, but it has gone to ground with its website no longer functioning.
ABORIGINAL Gold Coast artists are being paid as little as 50c for souvenir boomerangs sold at the Commonwealth Games for up to $60.
A number of angry artists have produced receipts showing how much they are getting for each item painted.
They received $5 for painted emu eggs, which retail on the official Commonwealth Games site for $130.
It is also alleged the artists are getting $3.50 for pottery worth up to $140.
Gold Coast business Jabiru Boomerangs has been contracted by the Commonwealth Games to provide the indigenous souvenirs.
Jabiru has gone to ground with its website no longer functioning. Phone messages to a previous number have gone unanswered.
GOLDOC said the payment of artists was an issue between the artists and the contractor, Jabiru.
Artists involved declined to comment publicly.
Aboriginal businessman Michael Connolly, of Dreamtime Kullilla Art in Redcliffe, said he had received complaints from eight artists based on the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales about the low wages.
“(Jabiru Boomerangs are) not indigenous owned and they’re underpaying artists,” he said.
“They’re worse paid than the Indonesians at $1.40 a boomerang. Our boys are paid 50c.
“I’ve been in business for 25 years and am sick and tired of it.”
Southport business owner Peter Santo, of Santo DidgeriFORMER doo, said the amount of money the Aboriginal artists were being paid was “disgusting”.
“It’s absolutely wrong, it’s ludicrous,” he said.
“I pay $12 per boomerang. I pay $30 to $80 to paint a didgeridoo. It costs (at least) $120 to make a didgeridoo (authentically). We can’t compete against Jabiru Boomerangs.”
A spokesman for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games said it was the responsibility of “the contractor to ensure employee and contractor entitlements are met and comply with the law”.
“This is a matter for the parties involved to work through,” the spokesman said.
“The Yugambeh Elders Advisory Group and Indigenous Working Group recently met with the indigenous artists utilised by Jabiru (Boomerangs).
“The elders confirmed they were satisfied Jabiru (Boomerangs) had met its obligations to local First Nations people.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Jackie Trad said the Games had been a “great platform to showcase, promote and raise awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage”.
However, she said she “would be concerned if artists are being significantly underpaid for their contributions”.
The Indigenous Art Code, the peak body for indigenous art, says some artists are paid a “small amount for the work up front, and then (sellers) charge inflated retail prices for the work”.
“While not illegal, the Indigenous Art Code does not consider this ethical practice.”