Resale Royalty Rights For Visual Artists

Visual artists in Australia may soon gain the right to a percentage of the commercial resale price each time their work is sold. The proposed legislative framework for this right, the Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists Bill (the Bill), was introduced into the House of Representatives on 27 November 2008. The Bill has now been referred to the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts for preparation of an advisory report to the House by 20 February 2009. If the Bill is passed a resale right for visual artists is expected to be in place by 1 July 2009.

Under the proposed scheme, artists will receive a royalty payment of 5 percent of the sale price each time their artwork is resold through, for example, an auction house, a commercial gallery or an art dealer for $1,000 or more.