Fed: Garrett not a celebrity recruit: Gillard

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2007
Fed: Garrett not a celebrity recruit: Gillard

CANBERRA, April 30 AAP - Labor's environmental spokesman Peter Garrett has proved he's
a team player and not a mere celebrity recruit, by accepting the ALP's new policy on uranium
mining, deputy leader Julia Gillard says.

Following a two-hour debate, delegates at Labor's national conference over the weekend
backed their leader's proposal to lift Labor's 25-year-old no new uranium mines policy.

Ms Gillard said although Mr Garrett, a longtime anti-uranium advocate, spoke forcefully
about his views at the conference he had accepted the new policy was a team decision.

"He (Mr Garrett) has held views passionately across his lifetime and he spoke very
well in pursuit of them," Ms Gillard told Southern Cross Broadcasting today.

"But Peter has also said, as a Labor member, that he understands that it's about decision
making across the team."

Ms Gillard said Mr Garrett's reputation as a rock star has not overshadowed his reputation
as an environmental advocate.

"I think Peter will continue to do what he does best, which is talking about climate
change solutions, talking about our environment and talking about how we can manage our
country better when it comes to protecting our precious environment," she said.

"Australians look to Peter Garrett for those sorts of solutions.

"He has certainly been a rock star, we all remember that and many of us have still
got the CDs to prove it. But apart from being a rock star, he came into politics with
a formidable reputation as an advocate for our environment and that continues."

AAP sld/cp/bwl

KEYWORD: GARRETT GILLARD

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