'It's disgusting and wrong': Aboriginal artists are receiving just 50c for $60 boomerangs and $5 for $140 painted emu eggs sold at the Commonwealth Games

  • The Commonwealth Games contracted Jabiru Boomerangs to create souvenirs
  • Artists paid as little as 50c for souvenir boomerangs which sold for $60 
  • Gold Coast business Jabiru Boomerangs is not an indigenous-owned business  

Aboriginal artists are receiving just 50 cents for souvenir boomerangs that are selling for $60 at the Commonwealth Games.

The artists also received just $5 for each painted emu egg which are selling for as much as $140.

Aboriginal businessman Michael Connolly, of Dreamtime Kullilla Art in Redcliffe told the Gold Coast Bulletin that he had received a number of complaints from Gold Coats based artists. 

The Commonwealth Games contracted Gold Coast business Jabiru Boomerangs to provide the souvenirs for the Games.  

Boomerangs painted by Aboriginal artists are selling at the Commonwealth Games for $60 but the artists are receiving just 50c per item sold. The Emu egg (pictured) is selling for $130

Boomerangs painted by Aboriginal artists are selling at the Commonwealth Games for $60 but the artists are receiving just 50c per item sold. The Emu egg (pictured) is selling for $130

Aboriginal businessman Michael Connolly, of Dreamtime Kullilla Art in Redcliffe, said he had received a number of complaints from Gold Coats based Indigenous artists

Aboriginal businessman Michael Connolly, of Dreamtime Kullilla Art in Redcliffe, said he had received a number of complaints from Gold Coats based Indigenous artists

The Gold Coast Bulletin has listed other examples where the Indigenous artists are being grossly underpaid.  

'(Jabiru Boomerangs are) not indigenous owned and they're underpaying artists, they're worse paid than the Indonesians at $1.40 a boomerang, our boys are paid 50c,' Mr Connolly said.   

Mr Connolly said he has spent a quarter of a century in the business and he was 'sick and tired' of the undercutting going on. 

A spokesperson for the Commonwealth Games dismissed responsibility, stating it was an issue to be sorted out between 'the parties involved'

A spokesperson for the Commonwealth Games dismissed responsibility, stating it was an issue to be sorted out between 'the parties involved'

Jabiru was unable to be reached for comment and the business's website has been pulled down in the wake of the complaints.

A spokesperson for the Commonwealth Games dismissed responsibility for the issue, stating it was to be sorted out between 'the parties involved'.

The spokesperson said Aboriginal elders were 'satisfied' with the agreement and that it met the 'obligations to local First Nations people'. 

Boomerangs like the one pictured are selling for $60 at the Commonwealth Games souvenir store 

Boomerangs like the one pictured are selling for $60 at the Commonwealth Games souvenir store 

While commissioning an artist for their work and then inflating the selling price is not illegal, it is considered highly unethical.

Southport business owner Peter Santo, of Santo Didgeridoo told the Gold Coast Bulletin the amount of money being paid to Indigenous artists was 'disgusting' and 'wrong'. 

The artists declined to comment publicly on the issue.  

 

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