SYDNEY, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - One of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's ancestors was a street urchin sentenced to death for stealing a dress and underwear, researchers said Thursday.

SYDNEY, Jan 30, 2008 (AFP) - Australia has nominated 11 prisons and other sites linked to its convict past for World Heritage listing as symbols of the nation, the government said Wednesday.

SYDNEY, Aug 1, 2007 (AFP) - Australia is seeking to honour its convict past through the inclusion of prisons and other historic sites on the UN's World Heritage List, the government said Wednesday.

'Over 160,000 convicts were sent to Australia between 1788 and 1868,' said Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull, recalling Britain's transportation of criminals to its new colony.

'They became both the backbone of our economy and future prosperity, and the heart and soul of our collective egalitarian character. It's something about which we are very proud nowadays.'