Garrett, Peter (1953-…), is an Australian singer, musician, composer, and politician. He is also a major supporter of environmental conservation and Aboriginal land rights. Garrett became famous in the 1970’s as a member of the rock band Midnight Oil. From 2004 to 2013, he served in the Australian House of Representatives as a member of the Australian Labor Party. In 2007, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd appointed Garrett to the post of minister for the environment, heritage and the arts. In 2010, this title was changed to minister for environment protection, heritage and the arts. Prime Minister Julia Gillard appointed him minister for school education in 2010. He served in the position through June 2013. Garrett left politics in 2013 and resumed his music career.
Peter Robert Garrett was born on April 16, 1953, in Sydney. He studied art at the Australian National University and law at the University of New South Wales. In the early 1970’s, Garrett began singing with Midnight Oil. The band became known for its songs about political and environmental issues. Midnight Oil’s albums include 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (1982), Red Sails in the Sunset (1984), Diesel and Dust (1987), Blue Sky Mining (1990), Earth and Sun and Moon (1993), Capricornia (2002), and others. The band had international success with the singles “Power and the Passion” (1982), “The Dead Heart” (1986), and “Beds Are Burning” (1987).
Garrett left Midnight Oil in 2002 to focus on his political career, and the group disbanded. However, the band occasionally reunited to perform at benefit concerts. After leaving politics in 2013, Garrett recorded a solo album, A Version of Now (2016). In 2017, Midnight Oil reunited and began touring again. The band released its first studio album in nearly two decades, Makarrata Project, in 2020. The mini-album, which contains seven tracks, is a collaboration with Indigenous and First Nations artists. The single “Gadigal Land” from the album became a hit.
Garrett served as president of the Australian Conservation Foundation from 1989 to 1993 and from 1998 to 2004. In 2003, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to environmental conservation and the music industry. The Order of Australia is Australia’s highest award for service to the country or to humanity.
