Why do some people praise Ned Kelly?

Answer 1

There is a misguided beliecf that Ned Kelly was Australia's answer to Robin Hood, i.e. he stole from the rich and gave to the poor - but there is no evidence to substantiate this. Whilst he never forgot his Irish roots and the struggle of his mother to raise himself and his brothers, he did not exactly bestow the poor people with the bounty he stole.

Ned Kelly was a rebel who went against the authorities. Since Australia's earliest convict days, this has been a trait which Australians seem to admire. They forget that Ned Kelly was capable of murder.