Former Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett’s resignation from his position as Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth for the Australian Labor Party opens the door for a potential Midnight Oil reunion.
Oil’s drummer Rob Hirst says Midnight Oil will play again in the future but he doesn’t know when.
In a recent interview with Midnight Oil/The Break drummer Rob Hirst (before the events of this week occurred) Rob told Noise11 “when a politician says he still loves music and when his eyes light up like recently at the Enmore Theatre when we performed alongside a whole lot of acts to raise money for Doc Neeson who is crook. Suddenly there was this man with gyrating arms and his eyes lit up and he was clearly loving every minute of the 2000 people going off their heads. I figure whilst Peter is making noises like that we probably will play down the track. We don’t know if it will be a benefit show. Hopefully it won’t be following some major disaster like the last two times”.
Garrett said it “has been a privilege to serve as a loyal Cabinet Minister for nearly six years” and paid tribute to outgoing Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and incoming P.M. Kevin Rudd.
In his statement Garrett talked about the reforms he had been involved with in the past 6 years but did not give any indication of his future plans or if he plans on returning to Midnight Oil.
Here is the complete statement from Peter Garrett announcing his resignation from politics:
Now that Kevin Rudd has been elected Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party, I am resigning my position as Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth and will not recontest the upcoming election as Member for Kingsford Smith.
I believe I have always acted in the best interests of the Party and the Government. I was a front-man who chose to be a team player and make a difference in politics. I do not, for one moment, regret that choice.
I want to place on record my thanks to colleagues, staff and the community for their enduring support. To my wife Doris and daughters Emily, May and Grace a huge thanks for their support too, and the love they have given me since I entered Parliament in 2004.
At all times I have endeavoured to represent the people of Kingsford Smith faithfully and in particular, to have secured the protection of Malabar Headland for the people of NSW.
It has been a privilege to serve as a loyal Cabinet Minister for nearly six years, having participated in a number of crucial reforms that only Labor Governments can achieve.
I am especially proud to have had stewardship of the most significant education reforms we have witnessed in Australia, like the national curriculum, first national teaching standards and much needed investment for literacy and numeracy and indigenous education.
This culminated in the passage into law today of the Australian Education Bill.
We now have a new, fairer funding system based on the Gonski review which will ensure the needs of young Australians are met regardless of where they live or how much money their parents earn.
I pay tribute to Julia Gillard for having the foresight, courage and tenacity to drive these reforms, that will give thousands of young Australians a better future.
I am also proud to have committed our government to a world class system of marine parks, placed the Kimberley region on our National Heritage list, introduced the first e-waste recycling scheme and ensured resale royalties for Australian artists, including Indigenous artists.
These along with a host of other significant actions across many portfolios, have been the mark of a truly reforming Labor Government.
I wish the government well.
Watch the full interview from Rob Hirst and Brian Ritchie from The Break here:
