Ex-Australian Prime Minister says colonisation by British ‘luckiest thing that happened’

The poll could change Australia’s constitution to give First Nations people a greater say over laws and policies which impact them.

However, critics claim the constitutional reform offered is largely symbolic and will fail to enact overarching change.

The debate resurrected discussion about controversial moments in Australia’s history, including British colonisation.

Howard described colonisation as “inevitable”, adding: “I do hold the view that the luckiest thing that happened to this country was being colonised by the British.”

He also told The Australian: “Not that they were perfect by any means, but they were infinitely more successful and beneficent colonisers than other European countries.”

Howard voiced concern about failing to pass the Vote to Parliament initiative later this year and is backing the ‘no’ campaign.

The 84-year-old, who has English and Celtic roots, warned rejecting Indigenous recognition would leave a “new cockpit of conflict” over “how to help Indigenous people”.

Howard also accused its supporters of failing to sell it to the Australian public.

The Voice poll is Australia’s first referendum since voters rejected becoming a republic in 1999.

Opinion polls suggest the vote is too close to call, with Resolve Strategic nudging ‘no’ ahead on 52 per cent to 48 per cent.

However, the ‘yes’ campaign looked set to win a landslide when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled draft amendment wording last July.

Success for the ‘yes’ campaign would bring about change to Australia’s constitution for the first time in over 46 years.

The Labor Party and Greens have thrown their weight behind the constitutional change.

The Liberal Party, National Party and Katter’s Australian Party have sided with the ‘no’ campaign.

Despite emerging partisan faultlines, ex-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is the only former Liberal leader to support the ‘yes’ campaign.

Conversation about British colonisation has sparked wider debate across other countries connected with the Empire.

Historian Rafe Heydel-Mankoo and commentator Narinder Kaur locked horns on GB News about whether India should count itself lucky to have been colonised by Britain.

“I’m not lucky if my ancestors were murdered at the hands of British generals,” Kaur said.

Heydel-Mankoo replied: “I am saying as an Indian woman you are lucky because of colonisation.”