Commonwealth vows to stamp out fake Aboriginal art made in ‘sweatshops’

For the first time, the Federal Government has taken steps to protect genuine Indigenous art, announcing it is considering legislation that would crack down on fake souvenirs and artwork.

Long-running calls for stronger legal protection gained further support after a 2018 parliamentary inquiry found there was widespread evidence Indigenous artists were being “cheated” and cultural items were being reproduced without consent, purely to make money.

The souvenir trade was worst affected…