Peter Garrett appointed as environment minister

November 29, 2007

Peter Garrett, the former Midnight Oil singer, has been appointed as Australia's new environment minister by prime minister-elect Kevin Rudd.

Rudd, who has not yet taken office, has targeted the environment one of his top three priorities, along with the Australian economy and its education system.

Garrett, who had an international hit with the song "Beds Are Burning," has been a Labor Party member of Parliament since 2004, the BBC reported.

Previously, the ex-rocker had belonged to various minor parties, such as the Nuclear Disarmament Party, the Web site Undercover.com reported.

Midnight Oil, which has performed just twice since Garrett went into politics, was known for its socially conscious bent, including Australian indigenous issues. It has sold millions of albums worldwide, Undercover.com said.

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