Australia’s New Chinese-Speaking PM Chose an 80’s Rocker as Environment Minister
November 29th, 2007 by MarkThis, from the BBC:
Mr Rudd will focus on education, environment and the economy
Australia’s Prime Minister-elect, Kevin Rudd, has announced the make-up of his new Labor government.He appointed Julia Gillard as deputy PM and education minister, and a former rock star, Midnight Oil singer Peter Garrett, as environment minister.
Penny Wong becomes the country’s first Asian-born minister, with responsibility for climate change.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Party has elected a new leader to replace John Howard, defeated in last week’s vote.
BBC: Australia’s Rudd unveils cabinet
That guy, the singer, Peter Garrett, has been chosen to be Australia’s new Environment Minister.
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November 30th, 2007 at 1:16 am
Coolness. I saw Midnight Oil in Canada in the early 80s - they were opening for UB40. Peter Garret was famous for his political/environmental views even then.
November 30th, 2007 at 10:24 am
The Oils rule. I saw them in Portland back in the early 1990s. I’ve heard Rudd’s Chinese is quite good. You should do the needful and find a youtube of him speaking Mandarin.
December 1st, 2007 at 11:38 am
I’ve heard Garret has run for office himself. I also think it’s great that the world now has a Western leader who not only speaks Chinese, but also has understanding of Chinese culture. In one of the videos you posted above, he says that he had to study classical Chinese and philosophy. Apparently he has also studied at Shida. I personally think this is a positive outcome, not to mention his focus on environmental issues.
December 3rd, 2007 at 7:18 pm
not to appear too anal, but it is ‘Garrett’, a double t.
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Thanks
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Thanks Prince Roy. I was writing quickly and thought I saw it written with one t.