A Labor loner who has given it all away
A Labor loner who has given it all away The transformation of Peter Garrett from environmental activist to passive government minister is now complete, writes Kerry-Anne Walsh.
- Sydney Morning Herald July 19, 2009
Parachuted into the safe Labor seat of Kingsford Smith in Sydney, Garrett landed in Canberra at the 2004 election and has, in quietly dramatic fashion, been divesting himself ever since of his pre-Labor skin.
Approving the Four Mile uranium mine last week was the starkest example to date of the transformation of Garrett from anti-nuclear and environmental activist to passive government minister. It was an even bigger slap in the face to his past than giving the nod last year to a Tasmanian pulp mill…………………………… It was, after all, only two years ago at Labor’s national conference that he spoke passionately against expanding Labor’s three-uranium-mines-only policy.
“I have always maintained and indeed committed myself to the notion that Australia should be nuclear-free – that our country is as far into nuclear activities as it ever should be,” he spruiked. “I have long been opposed to uranium mining, and I remain opposed to it. I am unapologetic about this. In fact, I am proud of it.”………………..
………….when policy directions collide fiercely with deeply held convictions – if, indeed, they still do – there is always the option of resignation from cabinet……………..
……..The voters who put him there won’t thank him; he’s betrayed them.
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