Peter Garrett
Peter Robert Garrett AM (born 16 April 1953) is an Australian musician, environmentalist, activist and former politician.
Peter Garrett | |
|---|---|
Garrett at Colours of Ostrava, 2017 | |
| Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth | |
| In office 14 September 2010 – 26 June 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Julia Gillard |
| Preceded by | Simon Crean |
| Succeeded by | Bill Shorten |
| Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts | |
| In office 3 December 2007 – 14 September 2010 | |
| Prime Minister | Kevin Rudd Julia Gillard |
| Preceded by | Malcolm Turnbull |
| Succeeded by | Tony Burke |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Kingsford Smith | |
| In office 9 October 2004 – 7 September 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Laurie Brereton |
| Succeeded by | Matt Thistlethwaite |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Peter Robert Garrett 16 April 1953 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Labor (from 2004) |
| Other political affiliations | Nuclear Disarmament (1980s) |
| Spouse |
Doris Ricono (m. 1986) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | Randwick, New South Wales, Australia |
| Alma mater | Australian National University (BA) University of New South Wales (LLB) |
| Profession | Musician, politician |
| Awards | Member of the Order of Australia (2003) Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France, 2009) |
| Website | petergarrett |
In 1973, Garrett became the lead singer of the Australian rock band Midnight Oil. As a performer he is known for his signature bald head, his eccentric dance style, and a "mesmerising onstage presence". He served as President of the Australian Conservation Foundation for ten years before being elected for the Labor Party as the Member of the House of Representatives for the seat of Kingsford Smith in the 2004 election.
After Labor's victory in the 2007 election, Garrett was appointed Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Following the 2010 election, he was made Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth by Prime Minister Julia Gillard. In the aftermath of the 2013 leadership spill, Garrett resigned from the Ministry and announced he would retire from politics at the 2013 election.
In 2003, Garrett was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, "for service to the community as a prominent advocate for environmental conservation and protection, and to the music industry." In 2009, the French Government appointed Garrett an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters. In 2010, the World Wide Fund for Nature presented him with their Leaders for a Living Planet Award.