5miles, your statement is at best a distortion of the facts. Australia has been running its own affairs for over 100 years. I'm sure in many ways it is a wonderful country with wonderful people but it doesn't alter the facts.
When did the policies that lead to the Stolen Generations end?
When did the White Australia policy end?
When did Aboriginals get the vote?
Just because Oz is all biscuit *rsed and apologetic now doesn't mean you can blame the Brits for actions that a self-governing Australia was more than happy to carry on, and in some cases implement right through to the 1970s and beyond.
Britain had what's considered a bad record in the 19th century in particular, any other powerful country would have acted the same - it was the way countries and people behaved then. Thankfully times have progressed, though some countries (Oz for one) took a wee bit longer. Now before you return some stones, step away from the glass building. Baby.
You were spot on about the original lazy generalization of the Americans though.