The Wire

Kevin Rudd and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi have agreed that Aboriginal remains will be returned to Australia – but is it easier said than done? In discussions following the G8 in L’Aquila, the leaders resolved that remains in Italian museums and medical colleges will be returned to Australia for burial. But there’s fear among repatriation lobbyists that these institutions will end up having the final word on whether or not they’re returned. The Australian Government say that remains must be sent home unconditionally but many institutions reserve the right to assess each case based on research and education value.