Early British settlement 'all bad' for indigenous Australians: Tony Abbott

By Lisa Cox
Updated September 23 2014 - 2:23pm, first published 1:47pm
Tony Abbott during his visit to North East Arnhem Land last week. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Tony Abbott during his visit to North East Arnhem Land last week. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Tony Abbott during his visit to North East Arnhem Land last week. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Tony Abbott during his visit to North East Arnhem Land last week. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Tony Abbott during his visit to North East Arnhem Land last week. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Tony Abbott during his visit to North East Arnhem Land last week. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Tony Abbott during his visit to North East Arnhem Land last week. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
Tony Abbott during his visit to North East Arnhem Land last week. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

The arrival of British settlers in Australia was "all bad" for indigenous Australians, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has declared, as the federal government prepares to set the timeline for a referendum on indigenous recognition in the constitution.