I think that I would go a step further with this Sorry to aborigines.
I think we should re write the national anthem to include aborigines and put in a couple of lines that recognize past mistakes and the need to move on as one nation of people.

Les,

It wouldn't be a problem if when we sing "Australians all let us blah blah blah" we actually meant ALL. When I hear that anthem I think of Julie Anthony and Victa lawnmowers.

I don't see how you could reconcile an apology with wiping Aboriginal Australia out of history education. Stranger things have happened of course, but on the other hand, the country has come a long way since 1994. Maybe Rudd has too?

I imagine education people are more worried about the IR/ed combination than anything else. We could be ditching history altogether in favour of Plumbing For Seven Year Olds or Year Six Advanced IT.

Lyn,
No you are completely wrong!
The problem is that our generation wasn't taught to be responsible for our elders mistakes.
Thats why we should change the anthem so the kiddies at their school assembly can say sorry too and we can teach them to own the responsibility of those that have come before them. Thats the important thing.

For some real history from around Canberra and inside the National Tallyroom on election day, please see "The Poll That Counts" video series at http://au.youtube.com/laborview or my blog "Laborview View from Broome' Just click on my name.

Gary,
I see that Julia Gillard has yesterday backed the traditional interpretation of the nation's history, saying she believed Australia was "settled", rather than "invaded".However, unlike many Liberal cuiltural warriors she also backs students being exposed to different interpretations of Australian history and reaching their own conclusions.

A refreshing change.