Releasing the shackles – from past to present
Mokak Oration
In this year's Mokak Oration, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM JP spoke about 'Releasing the shackles' - exploring self-determination, justice and systemic barriers.
The shackles of the past were iron chains. Today, they are systemic barriers – in prisons, in classrooms, in hospitals, in parliaments. Releasing the shackles means self-determination, cultural strength, and justice. It’s not a favour, not charity – it is the unfinished business of this nation. And it’s time we break the chains, not just loosen them.
Ken served as a member of the Federal Parliament from 2010 to 2022. He was the first Indigenous Australian elected to the House of Representatives, and the first Aboriginal Australian to serve in Cabinet when he was appointed Minister for Indigenous Australians (2019–2022).
Breaking the shackles: from moral courage to structural justice (PDF 227.0 KB)
Breaking the shackles: from moral courage to structural justice (DOCX 69.3 KB)