Former Midnight Oil singer now politician Peter Garrett has become the scapegoat for the Australian governments nation insulation frustration.
While Australians are singing “how can you sleep when your roof is burning” along to that classic Midnight Oil, Garrett has taken the heat head on and has been removed from his portfolio as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts.The Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made the changes to his ministry at around 6.30pm Friday evening, after the commercial TV news services had finished and too late for tomorrow’s press.
Rudd has moved Garrett to the new role of Minister for Environmental Protection, Heritage and the Arts and promoted Senator Penny Wong to Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water.
She will take over the responsibility for the insulation bungle where under Garrett’s watch Australian homeowners were given free insulation by sometimes unqualified tradesman and now face a fire hazard in their homes.
Four people have died and 96 fires have started in Aussie homes following the introduction of the scheme.
The Prime Minister has appointed Greg Combet MP to assist Penny Wong.
The change of portfolio for Garrett is seen a demotion for Garrett but in an election year politicians like to play politics and that is exactly what the Prime Minister has done.
Going into the last election, Rudd wore Garrett’s rock star status like a handbag. Three years on, Garrett’s perception is judged on his political decisions as a Labor Minister and no longer by his rock band’s lyrics.
With an Australian election now just 6 to 8 months away, Rudd is clearly in trouble. He will be counting of opposition leader Tony Abbott’s unpopularity if he wants to win the next election, not on his track record.
Here is the official statement from the Prime Minister tonight. You need to read between the lines to see Garrett’s demotion:
“After careful consideration I have today decided to recommend to Her Excellency the Governor General a number of changes to Ministerial responsibilities and the establishment of a standalone Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
“This move is designed to achieve stronger coordination and greater efficiency in the development and delivery of climate change policies and programs, especially in relation to energy efficiency and renewable energy.
“The Honourable Senator Penny Wong will be appointed Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water. Senator Wong will take on additional portfolio responsibilities for the Government’s energy-efficiency and renewable energy programs, particularly for households and the community.
“The Honourable Greg Combet MP, as the Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, will be given direct responsibility for the oversight and implementation of the wind-up of the Household Insulation Program and of the roll-out of the new household Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme.
“Minister Combet will retain his existing Defence responsibilities.
“The Department of Climate Change will become the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
“The Honourable Peter Garrett MP will be appointed Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts.
“I will recommend to Her Excellency the Governor-General that changes be made to the Administrative Arrangements Orders in due course”.
So in closing maybe we should add “God save the Kevin Rudd, because nothing will save Peter Garrett”.
