Just The Facts, Ma'am

Of course history requires interpretation! When astronomers are debating (and voting on) a bald fact like the number of planets in the solar system (The Age, 17/8/2007), surely we can handle subjectivity around supposed facts like "Australia was discovered in 1770" or "Australia fought in Vietnam to stop communism".

I doubt that the educated, conservative politicians who push the idea of a "neutral" view of our past are really that naive. More likely, they are seeking political advantage by exploiting suspicion of teachers.