Rachel Perkins spoke to Philip Clark on ABC Nightlife, 25 November 2025.
Ms Perkins spoke of her family history, including the massacre of family members at a site in Central Australia now known as Blackfellows' Bones, of the stages of Australian history - 1788-1830: equality between First Nations and invaders; 1830-60: massive pastoral expansion; 1860 and after: repeater rifles and Mounted Police give heavy advantage to Whites), of international comparisons (less bloodshed in Canada because treaties were in place), of the contemporary use of the term 'war' to describe what was happening.
She expresses her respect for the Australian War Memorial and for soldiers' sacrifice. But the Memorial needs to represent all warfare on behalf of the Australian people - including the Australian Wars. This is another chapter in the story of Australian warfare.
The book, The Australian Wars, is a national survey where previous books have tended to focus sharply on particular areas and particular periods.
Picture credit: Rachel Perkins 2023 (used with permission; photo Dylan River)
