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Tony Abbott argues frontier war history belongs in National Museum
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has stated that while the history of frontier conflicts between Indigenous people and settlers should be commemorated, the Australian War Memorial is not the appropriate place to 'dwell on' these events. Speaking on the Memorial’s ‘Through Their Eyes’ podcast alongside historian Henry Reynolds and filmmaker Rachel Perkins, Abbott suggested that such history would be better suited for the Australian National Museum.
Abbott expressed support for a proposal to establish a separate, properly funded museum for frontier conflict, potentially run by the Institute of Aboriginal Affairs. He acknowledged the involvement of British regular soldiers in punitive missions but argued against equating these conflicts with major wars like the World Wars or Vietnam.
In contrast, filmmaker Rachel Perkins argued that the conflicts constituted warfare based on the nature of the struggle for land, culture, and livelihood. The debate occurs as the Australian War Memorial prepares to install a dedicated Frontier Wars gallery, covering approximately 200 square metres, as part of a major exhibition overhaul. Researchers from the University of Newcastle estimate that over 10,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were killed in more than 400 massacres between 1788 and 1928.
Entities
Australian National Museum · Australian War Memorial · Henry Reynolds · Rachel Perkins · Tony Abbott
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Tony Abbott believes the history of frontier conflicts should be commemorated at the Australian National Museum rather than the Australian War Memorial. www.perthnow.com.au · www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Tony Abbott supports the idea of a separate museum for frontier conflict run by the Institute of Aboriginal Affairs. www.perthnow.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] Researchers estimate more than 10,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were killed in over 400 massacres between 1788 and 1928. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Filmmaker Rachel Perkins argues that frontier conflicts constituted warfare due to the nature of what was being fought over. www.perthnow.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Australian War Memorial is preparing to build a dedicated Frontier Wars gallery as part of a pre-1914 exhibition overhaul. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au