'Stolen' history call to King

Charles urged to back plea for return of Aboriginal items | Royals to meet indigenous leaders on historic trip to Oz

- RUSSELL MYERS

THE King has been urged to back the return of stolen Aboriginal artefacts from British museums.

Charles will meet the leaders of indigenous groups during his historic trip to Australia, which begins today.

And they want him to use his influence to speed up the repatriation of cultural artefacts.

The British Museum and the Australian Research Council has identified 300,000 items being held in 70 UK institutions.

Noeleen Timberry, a campaigner from La Perouse in Sydney's Botany Bay, said: "Now is the time for Charles to be an advocate and ally for Australia's indigenous people.

"We welcome his visit and hope his platform can help our campaign and our community have a voice."