artistcareer.com.au is a joint initiative of the Australia Business Arts Foundation and the National Association for the Visual Arts.
NAVA campaigns and advocates for artists’ rights and the needs of the Australian visual arts sector as a whole. Since its formation in 1983, NAVA has been a powerful force in bringing about policy and legislative change to encourage the growth and development of Australian visual arts and craft.
The Artists’ Resale Royalty Right entitles an artist to a royalty payment each time any of his or her art works is resold. Since 1989, NAVA has been campaigning for this right to be legislated in Australia. Droit de Suite (the resale royalty right) recently was introduced right across the European Union and exists in many other countries, and it was hoped that Australia would follow their example.
In the May 2006 Budget the government announced it would not support Australian artists in this way. This was confirmed in a joint media release by the Attorney General the Hon Phillip Ruddock MP, and the Minister for Arts and Sport the Hon Rod Kemp MP.
By contrast, the Australian Labor Party has confirmed its support and has promised it will introduce the resale royalty right in its first term in office when elected. Twice Labor politicians have introduced Private Members Bills into parliament. The first attempt was made in 2003 by Kate Lundy, the then Shadow Arts Minister, followed again in 2005 by long time arts supporter the Hon Bob McMullan MP. Neither Bill was supported by the Government.
