Is Peter Garrett The Best Man For the Job?
Peter Garrett Environmentalist and Politician
At first Environmentalist and Politician sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it... but with the growing climate chaos meaning little over bottom line profits, isn't this a new breed of oxymoron exactly what we need in the 21st Century. Is this new, younger government the breath of fresh air we've been waiting for environmentally?
MP Peter Garrett AM BA (ANU) LLB (UNSW) D Litt (UNSW) D Univ (Griffith), was this week given the massive task of overhauling the Environmental Port Folio for the new Labor Party. An Aussie icon, Mr. Garrett is a long time environmental activist who has walked amongst many movements in Australia including, Nuclear Disarmament in the 80’s, President of the Australian Conservation Foundation ‘89-’93, when he also joined the board of Greenpeace and many others.
Peter Garrett is also a fairly long standing politician in Australian politics, more recently on the Labor party front bench, as such, I think he probably has an idea or two about the ‘big picture,’ where his new role is concerned… However, his move to politics originally bought many cries of moral betrayal from his critics, who felt it would be difficult for him to deal with the compromises of being involved in Federal politics as well as balancing the often left-wing activities that traditionally accompany environmental activism.
As Ben Oquist, Political consultant and former adviser to Greens Leader Bob Brown, writes, “Reality has played out somewhat differently. It actually looks like Garrett is very comfortable in the grubbiest aspects of party politics. His intervention in Melbourne this week shows he can get down in the muck with the best of them.”
But what of his ability to make the best decisions where the environment is concerned, has the grubbiness rubbed off onto his shirt sleeve, do you think? Do you think there is enough of the original Peter Garrett 'passion' left inside to burn the midnight oil and make the best moves for our environment, or are we settling for another compromise… albeit perhaps better still than the seemingly non-existent one under the current government….
UPDATE: 11 December
Some mixed emotions following the Dynamic Environmental Duo's crossed words when, Mr Garrett was clearly stumped in answering whether he would support a state government plan for a dam at Traveston Crossing, he replied, "The dam that they want to build outside of Queensland, outside of Brisbane?" Mr Rudd, a Queenslander himself, quickly stepped in, telling Mr Garrett it was a local issue.
Mr Garrett later told reporters it was just a matter of some controversy and that the federal Labor government would seek a briefing before deciding whether to support the proposal or not.
Early days yet, [give the bloke a chance] ..or genuine disinterest…?
Photo : Courtest AP Rueters
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I'm witholding until I see what he does with a Portfolio I think he is suited for, but may not be as big an issue as Health and Education in the election run.
The labour party has invested in a MP who is serious about the environment and can provide enough media exposure (from his prior musical status) to garner credibility in labours blue collar sensibilities to counter buy back their vote from interest rate scares of last election.
He's showed he is serious about being heard and making change by moving to a competitive party (Greens to Labour) and has the academic credentials to forsee and hopefully realise this is where he has wanted to go ever since deciding to move into politics.
All the best to him and us.
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So true, but I am being careful to keep Health and Education out of his lap, because I think the Rudd team will be able to handle it... there is a great front bench gathering for those two issues as they are the main thrust of the new party... they have to be...but they still have to pay for war too... it is interesting times... and I for one feel a renewed sense of hope because of it...
thanks for stopping by,
Lilla...
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...with you all the way on this one... great comments...and as you say at the very least, they will benefit from his power and his passion!
Lilla...
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Well written post, as always, I have my doubts about Peter Garrett but time will tell, passion is one thing, action is something else, he certainly is known as an activist and is very impressive on paper, given that somepeople don't seem to be able to learn anything for themselves.
It's novel new ways we really need. We've heard enough of everything else and there's lots of environmentalists out there who I feel are making a large contribution without the 'appropriate' background and with no thought of personal accolades.
Then, of course, there's little old me, TRYING to be an impartial observer.
MAJORITY view is not always the correct one.
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to me this fellow seems to have the goods required... in the past perhaps there was some suggestion there that there was a liberal/greens connection that held him back a bit..? I don't know, but Rudd will give him more space to manouvre... as I have said before there is a push genrally for nuclear plants for the future and other things that the global economy must have in play... so the direction will be interesting...particularly commitment to the Kyoto...
see you at your place for morning T..
Lilla...
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....time will be th teller although I do have some renewed hope with the way things are shaping up, mainly becuase we are looking at slightly younger players, and whilst some may argue that that is risque, I feel there is enough 'age' on the back bench to anchor this ship safely...
...interesting times...
Lilla...
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*wowing*
...really nicely said..
Lilla...
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hmmm... a younger team and hopefully with some fresh, innovative ideas and a solid back bench... it all looks set for changes either way and Garrett has been around long enough to have learnt the ropes properly...
Lilla...
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A legitimate environmentalist in the opposition ranks.
Should the Labs gain power it will be interesting to see how legit compares to party line.
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...your words are true and we're all hoping this is what he has been waiting for all his life... to actually make a difference...
Lilla...
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Exciting times...
thanks for your comment...
Lilla...
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How's the Christmas wripping going..? *giggling* I've now also discoverd the magic of gift bags thanks to you... it works out cheaper on pocket and nerves *l-ing ol, loudly*
I am with you all the way on this one... do you know I can't even recall (off the top of my head) who the current Federal Labor Minister for the Environment is...(?) That's terrible.. and scary because I'm interested .. Yes, Peter Garrett will give a good run for our money I think and has already made a strong announcement he will argue against any expansion when Labor debates changing its "no new mines" policy at next April's national conference.
That's interesting already, because US, Japan and the Howard govt. is pushing for nuclear plants all over the place for future energy... hopefully Mr Garretts motives are to force free-energy policies into play?
Lilla...
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No, I couldn't think of who it was either - scary stuff indeed! Although I do have to admit that this reindeer debarcle has rendered my brain temporarily unavailable for thoughts on anything, excepting reindeer of course!
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...it's all good.. albeit scary... it is Christmas and as far as Minister's and names go it's easier to remember the reindeers names....
Ho Ho Ho ....Merry Christmas... away... uh,... all of you! *lol*
Cheers...
Lilla...