What is Pay The Rent?

Pay The Rent is a private reparations system that is set up between you and an Indigenous group on the un-ceded Country that you live on.

We said “Sorry”, isn’t that enough?

Every day you eat food that was harvested on First Nations land. Every day you go to work on Indigenous land, and earn a wage. Every day you drink water from our sacred water sources. These acts majority of the time are not to the benefit of this beautiful island! Most of the time, the land is not harvested correctly, the water sources polluted, and your consumerism disproportionately benefits the commercial use of “Australia” while leaving Indigenous communities in poverty.

How much should I contribute?

It is suggested that white Australia contribute 1% of their income. For the average Australian this is only $19 per week – the cost of a takeaway meal.

Where does my money go to?

100% of your contribution goes towards:

• Keeping our doors open to the Lismore community so that we can support First Nation artists and provide a creative and safe space for people living on Bundjalung.

• The investment of materials to go directly to First Nations artists to support them in their practice

• Fair pay of First Nations practitioners to offer their services and knowledge to the Lismore community, through workshops or classes offered in Amarina AARI

Are these payments tax deductible?

As we are not set up as a charity, payments to Amarina AARI are not tax deductible. The current structure is set up for the purpose of increasing the capacity of self-determination, economic independence and the wellbeing of our Indigenous artists.

If you do not have the means to support financially, you may want to consider volunteering at Amarina AARI.

What if I don't believe this is my responsibility?

If you can't afford to contribute financially you can support the development of Indigenous communities by having these yarns with close family and friend groups, mentioning our work to larger organisations that may be able to support us.

Or you can email the government at treaties@dfat.gov.au and request that they finally form a treaty after 253 years.