Committed to the Political Process
Peter Garrett, front man for the ‘80s band, Midnight Oil, has been touted as a potential star candidate for the Greens since the band finally dissolved, but with the resignation of Laurie Brereton (in preparation for becoming the ambassador to the U.S. under a Labour government, if Latham takes Parliament this year), there’s been a lot of talk amongst party officials of recruiting Garrett to the ALP. Not everyone is happy about the idea. Midnight Oil’s songs often had a political edge. Sometimes, it was a blunt edge, too, especially in the later years of the band’s career, and while all the band members were politically active, at least as a unit, Peter Garrett’s political activism was the driving force of this aspect of their music. He is a staunch environmentalist, intelligent, committed to positive action, particularly from within the community at large. He’d make a good representative in Parliament. He doesn’t live in the district he’s being recruited for, however, and that does make a difference. Unlike the U.S. system, however, he couldn’t just be appointed to a cabinet-level post: those are held by MPs, known as Ministries. Given Mr. Garrett’s celebrity status, it seems entirely possible, even probable, that if he were to run from his home district, he could win. Because the Australian Greens (and the Democrats) function as effective third parties to Labour and the Liberals, there’s no real reason for him to give up his political affiliation, either. The only reasons for him not to stand – if he wants to – in his own district and his own party is if the seat is not being contested or if the Greens don’t want him there. If Kingsford-Smith doesn’t want him either, then perhaps he can just continue as he has been or opt for full retirement.