23 January 2008
The Hon Peter Garrett MP
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts
E&OE Proof only
REPORTER : Well, Peter, like many Australians today, the government’s grieving too?
PETER GARRETT: It’s a terribly sad day for Australians - our hearts are really strongly out with his family and friends and fans. This bloke was a great actor, a young talent and he had so much more to give. So it’s a shock that he’s gone and a moment of sadness I think which will last for us in Australia and also for the film community as well.
REPORTER: Is there anything else you’d like to say?
PETER GARRETT: Look, I think Heath was an actor who had built a career from being an Australian on Australian TV screens. He achieved world-wide acclaim, he took the difficult roles, he was obviously an instinctive and powerful presence and it’s a real tragedy that he’s died as young as he has. He had that much more to give so it’s a terribly sad moment for Australians. Our condolences and thoughts are with his family, his friends, with the fans that are out there, and Australia’s lost a talent, a bloke that achieved a lot in a short time and had so much more to give.
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