On Monday 10 November, the Hon. Dr. Anne Aly MP (Minister for Multicultural Affairs; Minister for Small Business and Minister for International Development) delivered the 2025 Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation Oration.

The Oration was opened by Deakin Distinguished Professor Mansouri, who spoke about the significance of representation for multiculturalism, noting that Minister Aly is not only Australia’s first female Muslim MP, but also the first Minister of Multicultural Affairs to join cabinet. Professor Mansouri also talked about the recent Multicultural Review, and acknowledged the Review’s author, and member of the Institute’s Advisory Board, Dr. Hass Dellal AO, in attendance.

Deakin’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin introduced the Minister, noting Deakin’s commitment to inclusion and diversity and also recognising representation, taking the opportunity to acknowledge Institute of Citizenship and Globalisation researcher, Abraham Kuol, for being recently named Young Australian of the Year for Victoria. 

The Minister’s address focussed on ‘Re-imagining Multiculturalism’ as an all-inclusive social contract that acknowledges the special status of First Australians and incorporates meaningfully the successive waves of migrants that continue to make Australia the ‘lucky’ country that is today. The Minister spoke both from personal experience—sharing stories of her own upbringing and family—and drawing on the depth of her expertise and experience as a researcher and politician. 

The Minister delivered a fitting address to mark the tenth year of the Oration, and its tradition of visionary conversations that do not shy away from difficult questions.