Peter Garrett, AM, MP
Labor Member for Kingsford Smith
Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts
Peter Garrett was elected as the Labor Member for Kingsford Smith at the 2004 federal election. In 2007, he was appointed Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts following the election of a Rudd Labor Government on 24 November.
Widely known as a passionate advocate and campaigner on a range of contemporary Australian and global issues, he was the former president
Australian Conservation Foundation, an activist, and former member of Australian band
Midnight Oil.
The ‘Oils’ were renowned for their fierce independent stance and active support of a range of contemporary concerns including the plight of homeless youth, indigenous people's rights and protection of the environment.
The band’s protest and benefit shows, notably the anti-Exxon performance on a truck-top in the streets of New York and, of course, the 'sorry suits' performance at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games closing ceremony were hallmarks of a thirteen-album career culminating in the ARIA lifetime achievement award in 2006.
Peter served two terms as president of the Australian Conservation Foundation. In his first term, from 1989 to 1993, significant results were achieved for many threatened areas of the Australian environment including the Queensland Wet Tropics rainforest and Jervis Bay in NSW. In his second term, the ACF grew strongly, developed partnerships with non-government organisations and business, and expanded its campaigning into marine conservation and northern Australia.
He received the Australian Humanitarian Foundation Award ( environment category) in 2000, and in 2003 received the Order of Australia (Member General Division) for his contribution to environment and the music industry.