Peter Garrett is one of our most prominent living Australians. A renowned activist, former politician, and lead singer of Midnight Oil is a long-time campaigner on a range of local and global issues. He served as president of the Australian Conservation Foundation for two terms, which saw significant additions to natural protected areas, and the ACF grow into this country’s leading national environment organisation.
As Minister for the Environment he instigated the successful historic International Court of Justice case against Japanese whaling. As Minister for School Education he was responsible for introducing the national curriculum, and for legislating a new needs-based funding system for all Australian schools.
He is the only Australian politician to receive the ‘Leaders for a Living Planet’ award from the World Wildlife Fund and is a member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to the music industry and environment.
Following the release of Peter’s 2015 memoir “Big Blue Sky”, he returned to making music with his acclaimed debut solo album, “A Version Of Now”. In 2017 he and Midnight Oil regrouped after a 15 year absence for “The Great Circle” tour, playing 77 shows in 16 countries around the world. The band then recorded two new albums – “The Makarrata Project” (with First Nations Collaborators), and “Resist” – which each reached #1 on the ARIA charts. Across 2022 the Oils did their final concert tour, calling for social justice and environmental sustainability.
In March 2024 Peter will release his second solo album “The True North”; a deeply personal reflection on his singular journey, drawing inspiration and sustenance from the living colours of Australia’s natural environment and the sights and sounds of modern Oz. The release will be accompanied by a national tour with his band The Alter Egos which features Midnight Oil’s Martin Rotsey on guitar.
Peter remains a prominent advocate for causes including ending the climate crisis, opposition to the AUKUS agreement, and the implementation of the Uluru Statement From The Heart to provide long overdue recognition and healing to Indigenous Australians.