Scott Morrison should use Cook's 250th anniversary to insist Britain return the Gweagal shield | Paul Daley

The artefact, held by the British Museum, is a symbol Indigenous survival, resistance and endurance

Depending on where you stand, an upside of Australia’s coronavirus lockdown has been the abandonment of some of the more public and political elements of national celebrations to commemorate the 250th anniversary of James Cook’s arrival.

The slated Australian circumnavigation by the replica Endeavour was abandoned (Cook himself never did circle the continent anyway) while the big day itself – 29 April 2020 – passed with little more than official murmur.

Related: Commemorating Captain James Cook’s arrival, Australia should not omit his role in the suffering that followed | Paul Daley

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