Ken Wyatt is no stranger to making history, but this time it comes with great expectations and even greater challenges.
Conservative Party leader Cory Bernardi is urging caution and for the new Indigenous Affairs Minister not to rush in to try to fix problems by virtue signalling.
In 2010 Mr Wyatt became the first Indigenous person elected to the House of Representatives, and then the first to become a minister in 2016.
Now, he adds another first to his credentials, taking on the role of Indigenous Affairs Minister – and also the first time an Indigenous person has been in Cabinet.
The appointment of Mr Wyatt to Scott Morrison’s new ministry, marks an important change that’s as symbolic as it is potentially game changing.
The son of a Stolen Generations member, he inherits some tough portfolio legacies, fraught policies and complex behind-the-scenes bureaucracy.
There are shrill calls for constitutional reform and the creation of a third, indigenous chamber of federal parliament, the need to finalise new Closing the Gap policy targets, and manage a new Indigenous agency – just some of the pressing issues.
Not to mention respond to an increasingly serious Indigenous youth suicide crisis, playing out around the country but especially in his home state of Western Australia.
All the while, trying to please both his people and the party that promoted him.
Senator Bernardi has told Sydney radio station 2CH while he’s pleased Ken Wyatt has been appointed to the new ministry the pressing needs of indigenous Australians need to be addressed.
