Reply #5: I know that Garrett has no choice [View All]

but to follow the party line.

But he's never been just "a bit green around the edges"; he was always
a very powerful voice for minority positions on race, conservation,
the environment, and very, very anti-nuclear and anti-war. If he hadn't
been so successful at what he did, the things he's said in the past
wouldn't be coming back to haunt him now.

Having ambitions is fine, but seeing how things are panning out now, it
probably would have been better if he'd been given another portfolio,
however silly that may have seemed at first glance. Then he wouldn't
be in the ridiculous position he finds himself in now, having to say
that what he previously believed was simply "youthful folly". No -
just over six years ago, at the Sydney Olympics, he was seen live around
the world singing his message loud and clear. He was no youth then, but
a mature man already, and it's all too clear that his principles have
been thrown overboard.

So when he gets up in Parliament now to talk about climate change, wait
for the Downer and Costello show to start up again as they lampoon
everything he says.

And by the way - welcome to DU!