Their main complaint is the burden of bureaucracy in bringing artists a cut of every transaction in the commercial market, and they are angry that it was imposed without consultation with the industry.
They are also unhappy that, as with the regulations introduced in the UK, the levy applies even where there is a loss, provided a work sells above the AUS$1000 threshold.
While there is support among the trade for Aboriginal artists receiving the benefit, there is also concern that the levy actually works against their interests.
Galleries are thought to be following the trend in the UK, where dealers are now more likely to opt for taking works on consignment, thereby avoiding the levy, rather than buying works from artists and then selling them on.
