Well, yes. But not the kind that you should get up in arms about. Peter Garrett, who was appointed as Australia’s new Environment Minister last week, is strongly associated with Oil…Midnight Oil that is. Peter Garrett was the lead singer for Midnight Oil, a now-defunct punk rock band that was popular during the 80s and whose music speaks out against the social injustices common to Australians. Whether it is social inequality of aborigines, environmental degradation or classism, the music of Midnight Oil sought to speak up against the existing status quo in Australian society. Over their years together they created at least 16 albums and performed around the nation.

Garret’s first (unsuccessful) foray into politics was as a member of the Nuclear Disarmament party in the 1980s while he was still actively involved with the band. During his singing career he served on the Australian Conservation Foundation and the international board of Greenpeace. After leaving Midnight Oil, Garrett focused his career on politics and became active in Australian politics. Rising quickly in the public eye, his former rock star life has cast some shadows into the political arena with accusations of drug use. Despite the naysayers, the avowed Christian and father of three continues to expand his so-far small political profile as he takes a stand for the environment. His appointment to the office of Environmental Minister last week by the newly elected government.

Is anyone else as intrigued by this as I am? I think that it is truly a statement about the desire of Australians for change in their government and the world that they have elected someone as outspoken about these things as Mr. Garrett has been and continues to be. His political switch from Labor to Liberal parties may prove to be a hard hurdle to overcome with questions already being asked about his stance on issues of mining and old-growth logging. While his full-time experience in politics is new, he seems to be drawing from his rock star background and adapting to the changing audience as best he can while maintaining his advocacy. He will be interesting to watch in the years to come.