Ken Wyatt: Australia’s first indigenous cabinet minister

Ken Wyatt was chosen this week to be Australia’s minister for indigenous Australians, the first Aboriginal person ever to hold the role.

It’s a historic appointment which also makes him the first indigenous Australian to sit in cabinet.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcements as part of his revamped ministry, following a surprise election victory on 18 May.

Many indigenous Australians are celebrating the elevation of Mr Wyatt, a 66-year-old conservative MP.

But deep challenges lie ahead for the newly appointed minister, as Australia grapples with major debates over indigenous recognition and inequality.

Career marked by firsts

In 2010 Mr Wyatt became the first Aboriginal man to be elected to the House of Representatives, winning the Western Australian seat of Hasluck.

In his maiden speech, he wore something rarely seen in the parliament.

It was a kangaroo skin coat, adorned with feathers of a red-tailed black cockatoo, known as a booka – a symbol of Aboriginal leadership, presented by elders.

He later became minister for aged care and indigenous health – an outer ministry position, meaning he did not sit in cabinet.

Before entering politics, the Noongar man worked as a primary school teacher and as a senior public health official.

His mother, Mona Abdullah, was one of the “Stolen Generations” – Aboriginal children who were forcibly removed from their parents under infamous government policies aimed at assimilation.

In parliament, Mr Wyatt has won respect for sticking to his beliefs – even occasionally threatening to vote against his own party on specific issues.

He has also sometimes drawn criticism, such as for resisting calls while aged care minister to mandate staffing levels in aged care facilities. Aged care settings are currently the subject of a national inquiry.