Anthony Albanese wants Aussie kids to learn how the British 'massacred' Indigenous people
Anthony Albanese has called for the truth to be taught to Australian school children about how British settlers really treated First Nations people in the wake of colonisation.
"Part of learning about our history is truth-telling as well," the Aussie Prime Minister told 4BC radio's breakfast program.
"And the truth is that Indigenous people suffered a lot. Not all, but many did.
"There were massacres [that] occurred."
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The Prime Minister added: "And we need to be truthful about that. Not as a way of being shamed but just as being fair dinkum. It's the Australian way."
Albanese's discussion of shaking up the Australian school curriculum came shortly after a chat about the Voice to Parliament, a proposed body that will advise federal parliament on matters concerning Indigenous people.
Albanese, who has openly said in the past that he wants Australia to become a republic, revealed to 4BC that he was still 'waiting to have consultation' in relation to holding a referendum.
"We know how hard it is to get a referendum up. But it's a pretty simple proposition," he said.
"The Constitution is our national birth certificate. And at the moment, it pretends that nothing happened until 1788."
Albanese added: "And it is good manners and also it should be a source of pride to recognise that we have shared this continent with the oldest continuous civilisation on the planet."
Albanese's comments on 4BC come shortly after a recent Guardian Essential poll indicated that less people are keen on Australian republican movement in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II's death.
A mere 43 per cent of Aussies now want to split from the Commonwealth, a number far lower than the 50 per cent minimum majority required in a referendum to succeed.
The number of Aussies who wish to retain British rule has risen.
That number has risen by three percentage points since June; the last time support for an Australian republic was gauged.
Polling, which was taken shortly after the death of the late Queen, could be a strong indication that folks Down Under aren't ready for Ausxit yet.
More men than women would like to see an Aussie republic (52 per cent of men and 35 per cent of women). Younger Aussies are also more supportive of a republic (51 per cent) and those aged 35-54 are also keen for change (46 per cent for compared to 34 per cent against).
For those aged 55 and over, 51 per cent of people are opposed to Australia becoming a republic, however support for change only sits at 34 per cent.
So that is still a significant chunk of 'grey area' across demographics, which doesn't bode well for Aussie Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Rachel Lang