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Peter Garrett (1953–)
Peter Garrett
Quick Facts
Name: Peter Garrett
Born: Sydney, 16 April 1953
Australian Labor Party (ALP) member of the House of Representatives
Co-founder of the Nuclear Disarmament Party (NDP)
Former President of the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF)
Former member of the band Midnight Oil, also known as The Oils
Honoured with an Order of Australia in 2003
Favourite music: Mozart, Dvorak, U2, Cesaria Evora, Paul Kelly and the Blind Boys of Alabama
Biography
Since he was a teenager Peter Garrett was interested in social and political issues. He studied to become a lawyer, but realised that it was not the career for him. He joined a band called 'The Farm' which became 'Midnight Oil' (The Oils). For 25 years, Garrett was lead singer for The Oils and co-wrote their songs. The Oils' music dealt with issues such as the environment, Indigenous rights, homelessness and nuclear disarmament. They were internationally known and performed in countries such as Brazil, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. When they performed at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, they wore black tracksuits emblazoned with the word ‘Sorry’ to make a point about the need for reconciliation with Indigenous Australians. After the 2004 Asian tsunami, Garrett and other members of The Oils re-formed for two fundraising performances for WaveAid.
In 1984, Garrett ran for the Senate for the Nuclear Disarmament Party. He lost by a narrow margin. Garrett’s passion for the environment saw him chosen as President of the Australian Conservation Foundation from 1989 to 1993 and from 1998 to 2004. In 2000, Garrett received the Australian Humanitarian Foundation Award (environment category) and in 2003 the Order of Australia for his contribution to the environment and music.
Garrett once said ‘he was the most famous politician not be elected’, but he tried again. In the 2004 federal election, he was successful in his attempt to become the ALP member for the House of Representatives' seat of Kingsford Smith.
Peter Garrett has achieved much but says his greatest achievement has been ‘staying sane after spending 25 years in a rock ‘n' roll band.’
Media
Books
- Garrett, Peter 1987, Political Blues, Hodder & Stoughton, Sydney.
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