Hi Mike.

I'm an Australian and I've spent a lot of time in PNG, Indonesia, Fiji and elsewhere and I don't disagree that in a lot of situations the tourism could be handled better. And sadly as you have seen that also includes the Australian Aborigines.

However, I feel that your comments regarding 'anyone who picks up a paintbrush being called an artist' shows a little bit of ignorance on your part.

The Australian Aborigines are one of the oldest cultures on the planet - over 40,000 years - and paintings are and always have been an integral part of their storytelling, a way to pass down through generations the stories of the dreamtime. It is a natural and integral part of their culture - and it is arrogant of you to imply 'how dare they sell their paintings' when it is as part of their soul and identity as a nation and people. I would liken it to anyone being able to publish their stories in Readers Digest or sell them to a tabloid magazine - it does not make them an 'author' as such but they are still getting money from it. As another example - I'm a keen photographer - not a professional by any means but some of my photos are good enough to sell - but does that mean I shouldn't because there are others (professionals) who are better than me?

Paul

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