Minor celebrity status, at best. But will appeal to the working class *man, particularly those from a union background. Blue Sky Mining is my personal favourite. But other than that, few other of his "protest" songs truly appealed.
Now, for something slightly more serious.
Back in the 2002 elections, Dr Dean had to stand down from contesting the Victorian State election, for a number of reasons: 1) did not live within the electorate; 2) his name was not on the electoral roll for the electorate in question; 3) his claimed principal residence was different to what it actually was, etc.
What Dr Dean did was embarrassing, to say the least. And the State Liberal Party paid for it heavily.
Now, saunter through to election day.
I go down to vote. I'm asked - name. Then, address. Then, whethert I had voted anywhere else that day. My name is then crossed off the electoral roll.
Now, let's move to the quote from the story you posted: "Environmentalist and former rock star Peter Garrett today rejected claims he had not voted in elections for 10 years, saying he had cast his vote but was not aware he was not on electoral rolls".
Sorry, it doesn't work that way. If you have voted, then your name would have been on the electoral roll and it would have been crossed off.
Even if there is something to be secretive about, the same principles would have applied - go the the State Electoral Office and vote there, and have your name specially crossed off.
So, an embarrassingly simple question arises - is Garratt registered and enrolled to vote, or not? If so, his name should be there. If not, then why not?
But, it doesn't end there.
The privilege of being of cult celebrity status is that the ALP National Executive will need to overturn all of its established rules and conventions in order to admit Garratt as a member of the Party.
Now, if the Libs did this, there would be a hue and cry from Latham in the trenches.
As it is, the next rule of having to live in one's electorate is also being seemingly overlooked in Garratt's case.
The ALP trounched Dr Dean on this issue back in 2002. But, not so, Garratt in 2004.
Why is that so?
Far from being worried, the Libs are more concerned with how the ALP can, on the one hand, preach with the right degree of political correctness, and then ignore it altogether when it comes to trying to score a quick, cheap political point.
With the UNSC having now voted 15-0 on Iraq, the Iraqi Foreign Minister requesting Coalition troops to stay in Iraq, and the G8 proposing a 50,000 global peace-keeping force (especially for Adfrica, and beyond), Latham is again looking to deflect the issue as quickly as possible.
Latham is fast becoming the teflon man - stick to any issue for as long as it takes, but not so long as to get caught in any traction, or being fried too long whilst the gas burner remains alight.
Personally, I welcome Garratt's invovlement in politics. The first declaration he will need to give as a candidate will be whether or not he has done drugs, etc. Can't wait for the answer on that one.
Mandatory drug and truth testing of all politicans - a must see!!!
