Australia's parliament has opened with an Aboriginal welcome, ahead of an apology for past wrongs inflicted on the country's indigenous community.

In a special ceremony, an Aboriginal elder handed a symbolic message stick to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

On Wednesday Mr Rudd is due to deliver a historic apology to Aborigines for past assimilation policies.

Under these policies, in place until the 1960s, thousands of children were forcibly taken from their families.

Australian blokes face up to change

In Australia right now, it is tough to be a bloke. "I turned on my television expecting to see the Haka,".

Was a recent night in Melbourne when the All Blacks faced off against the Wallabies. "Instead, I got I am Sixteen Going on Seventeen," he said.

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Metropolis strives to meet its thirst

The Australian of the year 2007, environmentalist Tim Flannery, once predicted that Perth in Western Australia.

He could become the world's first ghost metropolis its population forced to abandon the city due to lack of water.

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Australia making Asian friends

Australia's diplomatic march into Asia is continuing, with its latest achievement being a historic security pact with Japan.

The agreement is seen as a good result for both countries. "It's a very significant accord," explained Professor Alan Dupont from the University of Sydney.

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Long-term tensions behind Sydney riots

A week to the day after two surf life savers had been assaulted in what was believed to be an unprovoked attack.

Suspicions lie with a large group of men of Middle Eastern appearance. The following week, texts started circulating around Sydney calling for a revenge fight.

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