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Jun 11, 2:49 PM (ET)
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Peter Garrett, former lead singer of rock band Midnight Oil, formally became a member of the Labor Party, clearing the way for him to become a candidate in federal elections later this year.
Garrett, a committed environmental activist, announced Thursday his intention to run for Parliament with the opposition Labor Party.
"I look forward to doing the good work with that party in the run-up to this election, good work as a local member, good work hopefully as a member of Parliament and good work on the issues that are important to me," Garrett told reporters Friday.
His membership application was officially accepted at a meeting for Labor's national executive at Parliament House in Canberra.
Labor Party leader Mark Latham touted Garrett as a possible minister should Labor win elections expected later this year, something Garrett downplayed.
"Any decisions about my future involvement will be for the leader of the party, and for the caucus of the party, and I'll accept their decisions and do the job to the best of my ability," he said.
Garrett, 51, had long used Midnight Oil as a forum for his political views. The band broke up in 2002 after 25 years.
Garrett said he would move from his home in New South Wales state's Southern Highlands to live in his new Sydney electorate of Kingsford Smith.
"I will move to that electorate, I will work in that electorate, I will surf in that ocean and I will drink in that pub," he said. |
 This is hilarious. I mean don't get me wrong, I lopve Midnight Oil, I like Peter Garret and I think he would make a great Politician, but the furore this has created is amazing. People are acting like they've recruited the devil, but as far a musicians go, I would rather have Peter Garret in office than anyone else.
That and the fact that he hasn't been on the electoral roll and has not voted for the last ten years
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