But is it true that the phrase - specifically the word "mate" - was once banned in Australia? Verdict:TRUEIt might be shocking to some but it's true, mate! On Aug 18, 2005, the word was banned at Australia's centre of government - national parliament in Canberra. Bob Hawke - who served as the Prime Minister for Australia from 1983 to 1991 - was infuriated by the ban, saying that it was "pomposity gone mad". Historians have said that the word "mate" in Australia originally referred to someone's working partner, but has evolved into a term of affection.

Source: The Guardian May 24, 2023 00:30 UTC