<P> Other important topics include the histories of families, demography, education, and childhood . </P> <P> Since the 1980s a "history war" has been fought in Australia by scholars and politicians . They angrily debate the concept of genocide in the treatment of Aboriginal populations . They debate how "British" or "multicultural" Australia has been historically, and how it should be today . The rhetoric has escalated into national politics, often tied to the question of whether the royalty should be discarded and Australia become a republic . There have been angry statements by those adhering to the older pro-British position . Interest in the study of Australian history has plunged, and some schools and universities have sharply cut it back . </P>

When did australia stop being a british colony