One of the Top End's longest running indigenous art centres has called for stronger laws to combat fake indigenous art flooding the market.
In a written submission to a federal parliamentary committee, Maningrida Art Centre said the current laws protecting Aboriginal art are inadequate and that fines should be imposed on people selling fake art.
"There are fake works widely available on e-bay, in souvenir type shops and other galleries," spokeswoman Michelle Culpitt said on Tuesdaay.
"Searching the internet for clap sticks, didjeridu or boomerang results in a plethora of non-authentic made artefacts."
The group called for better education to combat the problem and said the general public was not fully aware how disrespectful fake art can be.
"A widespread public advertising campaign that communicates the depth, breadth and meaning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and beliefs would provide consumers with information to make better choices," Ms Culpitt said.
The committee chaired by Liberal MP Ann Sudmalis also heard that it is not only misappropriated from overseas, but local artists were producing pieces designed or influenced by first people's imagery.
"If a person makes a work of art that they do not have the cultural authority or permission to make, they are held to account by community members, but externally they have no power or recourse to hold people to account," Ms Culpitt said.
The committee has previously heard from art groups in Western Australia that estimated 85-to-90 per cent of Aboriginal art sold in souvenir shops was fake and imported from overseas.
Public hearings will be held in Alice Springs and Hermannsburg on Tuesday and Wednesday.
