Editing Peter Garrett (section)

===Australian Labor Party===
====Opposition (2004–2007)====
After the conclusion of Garrett's term as President of the Australian Conservation Foundation ended, in June 2004 Labor Leader [[Mark Latham]] announced that Garrett would become an [[Australian Labor Party]] candidate for the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] at that year's [[2004 Australian federal election|federal election]], in the safe New South Wales seat of [[Division of Kingsford Smith|Kingsford Smith]] which was being vacated by the former Cabinet Minister [[Laurie Brereton]]. There was some initial criticism from Labor members within the electorate, as the local branch had wished to select their own candidate;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/07/1086460239547.html?from=storylhs |title=ALP clears runway for Garrett's next gig |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=8 June 2004 |access-date=5 July 2013 |last1=Davies |first1=Anne |last2=Contractor |first2=Aban |last3=Peatling |first3=Stephanie |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105115043/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/07/1086460239547.html?from=storylhs |url-status=live }}</ref> in the end, Garrett was comfortably elected for the seat in October 2004.
In 2015, Garrett alleged in his autobiography and an ABC documentary that he had been handed an envelope containing "hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars" in cash by a representative of Clubs NSW at a function following the 2004 election. He subsequently retracted his allegations and stated that the envelope in fact contained a cheque, which he returned, and also that the incident "took place before he was elected, which would mean the possible offence of bribery or attempted bribery of a public official would not apply".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-06/peter-garrett-retracts-details-of-alleged-clubs-nsw-money-offer/6831408|title=Peter Garrett, former Labor minister, retracts details of alleged Clubs NSW money offer|publisher=ABC News|date=6 October 2015|access-date=20 March 2021|archive-date=19 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119024950/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-06/peter-garrett-retracts-details-of-alleged-clubs-nsw-money-offer/6831408|url-status=live}}</ref> Clubs NSW subsequently sued the ABC for defamation, but withdrew the suit in 2016 following a court ruling on [[Discovery (law)|discovery]] that would have granted the ABC access to the organisation's financial records.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-20/clubs-nsw-drops-defamation-case-against-abc/7859030|title=Clubs NSW drops defamation case against ABC over Peter Garrett cash envelope story|publisher=ABC News|first=James|last=Thomas|date=20 September 2016|access-date=20 March 2021|archive-date=10 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310235248/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-20/clubs-nsw-drops-defamation-case-against-abc/7859030|url-status=live}}</ref>

Six months after entering parliament, Garrett was appointed Shadow [[Parliamentary Secretary]] for Reconciliation and the Arts.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/arts/sedition-bill-a-threat-to-arts/2005/10/29/1130400402080.html |last=Grattan |first=Michelle |author-link=Michelle Grattan |title=Sedition bill 'a threat to arts' |date=30 October 2005 |newspaper=The Age |location=Melbourne |access-date=5 July 2013 |archive-date=4 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104101117/http://www.theage.com.au/news/arts/sedition-bill-a-threat-to-arts/2005/10/29/1130400402080.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was reported that he had modified some of his earlier views.<ref name=Eureka/> He expressed support for the [[ANZUS|U.S.-Australia alliance]], and recanted earlier opposition to the Joint U.S.-Australian Defence Facility at [[Pine Gap]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2004/s1129238.htm |title=Peter Garrett back flips on Pine Gap |work=[[PM (ABC Radio)|PM]] |publisher=[[Radio National|ABC Radio National]] |location=Australia |date=10 June 2004 |access-date=25 June 2010 |last=Grimm |first=Nick |format=transcript |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511132052/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2004/s1129238.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He also stated that, while he would argue the case for environmentalism inside the Labor Party, he would observe the ultimate decision of the [[ALP caucus|party caucus]], including accepting any decision on the "no new uranium mines" policy.<ref>{{cite news |last=Heywood |first=Lachlan |date=12 December 2006 |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20912936-952,00.html |title=Power Beats Passion |newspaper=[[The Courier-Mail]] |access-date=9 June 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127123551/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20912936-952,00.html |archive-date=27 November 2007}}</ref> Garrett's change of stance drew criticism from both journalists and Midnight Oil fans, who contrasted Garrett's former pronouncements on environmental and political issues he had made before joining the Labor Party.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21484678-5001028,00.html?from=public_rss |title=Garrett denies selling out beliefs |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]] |location=Australia |date=1 April 2007 |access-date=15 April 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127085938/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21484678-5001028,00.html?from=public_rss |archive-date=27 November 2007}}</ref>
[[Image:KingsfordSmith2007.jpg|left|thumb|A Garrett poster at a polling booth, 2007]]
While some in the media labelled him a "turncoat", some, such as ''[[Eureka Street (magazine)|Eureka Street]]'' and the ''[[Canberra Times]]'' columnist and [[Australian National University|ANU]] academic John Warhurst, defended his need to be a "team player" if he was going to succeed in the political game "from the inside".<ref name=Eureka>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=3575 |title=Politics is a team sport |magazine=[[Eureka Street (magazine)|Eureka Street]] |date=17 October 2007 |access-date=25 June 2010 |last=Warhurst |first=John |archive-date=21 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221183221/http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=3575 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Garrett campaigned for Labor in the [[2006 Victorian state election]], causing some controversy when he sent a letter to voters in the seat of [[Electoral district of Melbourne|Melbourne]], where Labor and the Greens were embroiled in a tight contest. In the letter Garrett urged voters not to vote for the Greens, claiming they were in alliance with the conservative [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]]. This incurred the ire of Greens Leader, and former Garrett ally, [[Bob Brown]], who accused Garrett of having "sold out" and of going against the environmental movement since joining the Labor Party.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/brown-sees-red-over-garrett-sell-out/2006/11/29/1164476260282.html |title=Brown sees red over Garrett 'sell out' |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=29 November 2006 |access-date=25 June 2010 |archive-date=25 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225183704/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/brown-sees-red-over-garrett-sell-out/2006/11/29/1164476260282.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2006, [[Kevin Rudd]] appointed Garrett to his Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Climate Change, the Environment, Heritage and the Arts.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Shadow Ministry 10&nbsp;December 2006 |journal=Labor EHerald |publisher=[[Australian Labor Party|ALP]] |date=10 December 2006 |url=http://eherald.alp.org.au/download/now/shadow_ministry.pdf |access-date=15 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128085741/http://eherald.alp.org.au/download/now/shadow_ministry.pdf |archive-date=28 November 2007}}</ref> Garrett supported Rudd in that month's [[Australian Labor Party leadership election, 2006|leadership spill]], a decision he would later come to regret, saying years later that it was "certainly the biggest mistake" he made in his political career.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/peter-garrett-says-kevin-rudd-was-a-danger-to-australia-in-tv-interview-20151011-gk6i04.html |title=Peter Garrett uses TV interview to say Kevin Rudd was a danger to Australia |first=Georgina |last=Mitchell |date=11 October 2015 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=9 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142053/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/peter-garrett-says-kevin-rudd-was-a-danger-to-australia-in-tv-interview-20151011-gk6i04.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[2007 Australian federal election|2007 election]] campaign, Garrett caused some controversy after the journalist [[Steve Price (broadcaster)|Steve Price]] claimed that Garrett had said to him Labor would change their policies if put in power. This was disputed by Garrett as a "short jocular conversation".<ref name="stripped">{{cite news |last=Topsfield |first=Jewel |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/29/1196037074839.html |title=Garrett stripped of climate change role |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=30 November 2007 |access-date=9 June 2018 |archive-date=4 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091104120930/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/11/29/1196037074839.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Garrett was comfortably re-elected for Kingsford Smith in the election, with a 4.56% swing towards him.<ref name="2007_Election">{{cite web |url=http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/website/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-13745-127.htm |title=Australian Electoral Commission summary of Kingsford Smith, Federal Election 2007 |website=[[Australian Electoral Commission]] |date=19 December 2007 |access-date=19 December 2007 |archive-date=21 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721193340/http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/Website/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-13745-127.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Environment Minister (2007–2010)====
After Labor's victory in the 2007 election, Prime Minister [[Kevin Rudd]] appointed Garrett as [[Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (Australia)|Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts]] in the [[First Rudd Ministry|Cabinet]], although responsibility for climate change was separated from the portfolio and handed to Senator [[Penny Wong]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22842376-5013469,00.html |title=Kevin Rudd's Cabinet in full |publisher=[[News.com.au]] |date=29 November 2007 |access-date=9 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201134800/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22842376-5013469,00.html |archive-date=1 December 2007}}</ref><ref name="stripped" /> Although Garrett requested to represent the Government on climate change within the House of Representatives, Rudd instead gave that responsibility to [[Treasurer of Australia|Treasurer]] [[Wayne Swan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/garrett-has-his-hands-full-rudd-20071205-1f0c.html |accessdate=17 October 2021 |title=Garrett has his hands full: Rudd |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=5 December 2007 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517055119/https://www.smh.com.au/national/garrett-has-his-hands-full-rudd-20071205-1f0c.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In his first acts in the role, Garrett approved a controversial plan to dredge Melbourne's [[Port Phillip]] Bay.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.theage.com.au/garrett-approves-port-phillip-dredging/20071220-1iar.html |title=Garrett approves Port Phillip dredging |newspaper=The Age |date=20 December 2007 |access-date=25 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210035020/http://news.theage.com.au/garrett-approves-port-phillip-dredging/20071220-1iar.html |archive-date=10 February 2008}}</ref> This move attracted strong criticism from some environmental groups, who were concerned that the 23&nbsp;million cubic metres of sand, rock and contaminated silt dredged from the bay's shipping channels would affect fishing and tourism in the area.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/climate-watch/counterterrorism-police-seek-meeting-with-bay-activists/2008/01/16/1200419885279.html |title=Counter-terrorism police seek meeting with bay activists – Climate Watch |newspaper=The Age |location=Melbourne |date=16 January 2008 |access-date=25 June 2010 |archive-date=9 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009223941/http://www.theage.com.au/news/climate-watch/counterterrorism-police-seek-meeting-with-bay-activists/2008/01/16/1200419885279.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/09/2134826.htm |title=Stoush brewing over Port Phillip dredging plan |website=ABC News |location=Australia |date=9 January 2008 |access-date=25 June 2010 |archive-date=2 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302110159/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/09/2134826.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Garrett also refused federal funding that would have enabled a remount of [[Elke Neidhardt]]'s acclaimed Adelaide production of ''[[Der Ring des Nibelungen]]'' in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Fabian |last=Muir |title=Elke Neidhardt: A passionate life lived in the arts |url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/elke-neidhardt-a-passionate-life-lived-in-the-arts-20131206-2ywk7.html |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=Sydney |date=7 December 2013 |access-date=11 December 2013 |archive-date=11 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211075123/http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/elke-neidhardt-a-passionate-life-lived-in-the-arts-20131206-2ywk7.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Miriam |last=Cosic |title=A trajectory from actress to visionary of the opera stage |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/a-trajectory-from-actress-to-visionary-of-the-opera-stage/story-e6frg8n6-1226770790656 |newspaper=The Australian |date=29 November 2013 |access-date=11 December 2013 |archive-date=29 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129164752/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/a-trajectory-from-actress-to-visionary-of-the-opera-stage/story-e6frg8n6-1226770790656 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |first=Peter |last=Bassett |title=Adelaide's Ring, ten years on |url=http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/adelaides-ring-ten-years |magazine=[[Limelight (magazine)|Limelight]] |location=Sydney |date=10 November 2014 |access-date=10 November 2014 |archive-date=11 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111172326/http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/adelaides-ring-ten-years |url-status=live }}</ref>

As Environment Minister, Garrett was responsible for implementing the Government's whaling conservation policy, which included the cessation of commercial and "scientific" whaling.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/archive/env/2009/sp20090218.html |title=The future of international whale conservation |website=Minister for Environment, Heritage and Arts |location=Australia |date=18 February 2009 |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-date=14 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214020932/http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/archive/env/2009/sp20090218.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Japan]]'s annual trips to the [[Southern Ocean]] to kill whales in the name of science was most controversial issue, with the Australian Government attempting to negotiate a cessation of "scientific" whaling at the annual meetings of the [[International Whaling Commission]]. These negotiations were unsuccessful, culminating in Australia taking Japan to the [[International Court of Justice]] (ICJ). Although the case was concluded after Garrett had left politics, the ICJ eventually announced its judgement, based on his application, that Japan must stop whaling in the Southern Ocean.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/148/18162.pdf |title=Whaling in the Antarctic: Australia v. Japan |website=International Court of Justice |location=Netherlands |date=31 March 2014 |access-date=7 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331145014/http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/148/18162.pdf |archive-date=31 March 2014}}</ref>

In August 2008, Garrett approved a major expansion of South Australia's [[Beverley uranium mine]], saying the mine would demonstrate global best practice for environmental protection.<ref name="AUS_nod">{{Cite news |first=Matthew |last=Franklin |title=Uranium mine gets nod from Peter Garrett |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24259286-5013871,00.html |newspaper=The Australian |date=29 August 2008 |access-date=29 August 2008 |archive-date=15 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915234019/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24259286-5013871,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Garrett's decision was praised by the [[Uranium mining in Australia|uranium industry]], but criticised by the [[Australian Conservation Foundation]], the organisation Garrett previously led, which said the decision would result in the mine spreading acid and radioactive pollution over {{convert|100|km2}}.<ref name="NEWS_Tune">{{Cite news |first=Cathy |last=Alexander |title=Garrett changes tune on uranium |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24256845-29277,00.html |website=News.com.au |date=28 August 2008 |access-date=29 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080901220837/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24256845-29277,00.html |archive-date=1 September 2008}}</ref> Later that year, Garrett announced the withdrawing of all {{AUD}}2.6&nbsp;million funding from the [[Australian National Academy of Music]] (ANAM).<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/canberra-axes-music-academy-funds-20081023-57gq.html |title=Canberra axes music academy funds |newspaper=The Age |location=Melbourne |date=24 October 2008 |access-date=25 June 2010 |first=Robin |last=Usher |archive-date=28 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028043141/http://www.theage.com.au/national/canberra-axes-music-academy-funds-20081023-57gq.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2009, Garrett chose not to give the proposed A$2&nbsp;billion [[Tamar Valley (Tasmania)|Tamar Valley]] mill approval until more studies were undertaken on its potential impact on marine environments. A new condition was put on the mill, meaning Gunns could be liable for criminal and civil penalties if the mill was approved and broke defined "environmental limits".<ref>{{cite web |last=Maiden |first=Siobhan |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2009/01/05/2459504.htm |title=Pulp mill decision announced |website=ABC News |location=Australia |date=5 January 2009 |access-date=15 April 2011 |archive-date=21 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921231512/http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2009/01/05/2459504.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> That same year saw Garrett also rejected proposals to impound the [[Mary River (Queensland)|Mary River]] through the construction of the [[Traveston Crossing Dam]]. Garrett determined that the impacts of the proposed dam on the [[threatened species]] of [[Australian lungfish]], the [[Mary River Turtle]] and the [[Mary River cod]] would be too great and of national environmental significance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/11/2739725.htm |title=Garrett rejects Traveston Dam |website=ABC News |location=Australia |date=11 November 2009 |access-date=9 June 2018 |archive-date=23 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523040947/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/11/2739725.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In a 2010 reshuffle of his Cabinet, Rudd demoted Garrett to the outer ministry in response to Garrett's administration of the [[Energy Efficient Homes Package|Home Insulation Program]] (HIP), which was linked to four deaths, over 100 house fires and allegations of fraud.<ref name=insulationdebacle>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/26/2831528.htm |title=Garrett pays price for insulation debacle |website=ABC News |location=Australia |date=26 February 2010 |access-date=25 June 2010 |archive-date=24 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624101407/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/26/2831528.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="demotion">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/02/2833721.htm |title=Garrett 'disappointed' by demotion |website=ABC News |location=Australia |date=2 March 2010 |access-date=25 June 2010 |archive-date=4 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404144217/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/02/2833721.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/06/2892376.htm?section=justin |title=Insulation firms eligible for $500k payout |website=ABC News |location=Australia |date=6 May 2010 |access-date=9 June 2018 |archive-date=7 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507213231/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/06/2892376.htm?section=justin |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was subsequently revealed in May 2010 that Garrett had written to Rudd on four occasions raising concerns about safety.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-05-28/rudd-admits-insulation-scheme-mistakes/844194 |title=Rudd admits insulation scheme mistakes |website=ABC News |location=Australia |date=27 May 2010 |access-date=9 June 2018 |archive-date=30 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030083557/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-05-28/rudd-admits-insulation-scheme-mistakes/844194 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the [[Australian Labor Party leadership spill, 2010|leadership spill]] in June 2010, which saw Rudd replaced by [[Julia Gillard]], Garrett's colleague [[Gary Gray (politician)|Gary Gray]] revealed most MPs believed Garrett was demoted because "...Rudd had a shocking interview on ''[[7.30|The 7.30 Report]]'' and needed a scapegoat". Gray stated:<ref>{{cite news |last=Cassidy |first=Barrie |author-link=Barrie Cassidy |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/18/3040656.htm?site=thedrum |title=The killing of Tyrannosaurus Rudd |website=[[The Drum (TV program)|The Drum]] |publisher=[[ABC TV (Australian TV channel)|ABC TV]] |format=transcript |date=18 October 2010 |access-date=15 April 2011 |archive-date=8 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308022614/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/18/3040656.htm?site=thedrum |url-status=dead }}</ref><blockquote>The majority of caucus felt he had been badly treated. For Rudd and his office to position Garrett as the fall guy was disgraceful, weak, sneaky, unprincipled and just plain wrong. All along, Peter properly put his objections to the administration of the program on the record. How can you have a situation where Rudd executes complete and total influence, micromanages everything, yet not the home insulation program? The shape and execution of the program was certainly designed by the prime minister's office, if not the prime minister himself.</blockquote>

====Education Minister (2010–2013)====
Garrett initially retained the portfolio of Environment Minister in the [[First Gillard Ministry]], and was re-elected at the [[2010 Australian federal election|2010 election]], albeit with a substantially reduced majority, suffering a two-party preferred negative swing against him of 8.1%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://results.aec.gov.au/15508/Website/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-15508-127.htm |title=Kingsford-Smith: First Preferences and Two Candidate Preferred |website=Election 2010 |publisher=[[Australian Electoral Commission]] |year=2010 |access-date=5 July 2013 |archive-date=3 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503085426/http://results.aec.gov.au/15508/Website/HouseDivisionFirstPrefs-15508-127.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> After the election, Gillard promoted him back to the full Cabinet as [[Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-gillard-ministry-20100911-155qc.html |title=The Gillard ministry |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=11 September 2010 |access-date=12 September 2010 |archive-date=12 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912153508/http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-gillard-ministry-20100911-155qc.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://www.alp.org.au/federal-government/news/prime-minister-announces-new-ministry/ |title=Prime Minister announces new Ministry |publisher=ALP |last=Gillard |first=Julia |author-link=Julia Gillard |date=11 September 2010 |access-date=12 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914004521/http://www.alp.org.au/federal-government/news/prime-minister-announces-new-ministry/ |archive-date=14 September 2010}}</ref>

In September 2011, Garrett announced an alteration of the [[National School Chaplaincy Program]] by offering schools the opportunity to employ, instead of "a religious support worker" (chaplain), a "secular student well-being officer".<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Garrett/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_110907_102159.aspx |title=Schools given greater choice under expanded chaplains program |date=7 September 2011 |access-date=9 September 2011 |work=Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations |publisher=Government of Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019202802/http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Garrett/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_110907_102159.aspx |archive-date=19 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deewr.gov.au/schooling/nationalschoolchaplaincyprogram/Pages/home.aspx |title=National School Chaplaincy Program |website=Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations |publisher=Government of Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608164342/http://www.deewr.gov.au/schooling/nationalschoolchaplaincyprogram/Pages/home.aspx |archive-date=8 June 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/chaplaincy-change-a-crisis-of-faith/2285003.aspx |title=Chaplaincy change a crisis of faith |first=Breanna |last=Tucker |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=8 September 2011 |access-date=9 June 2018}}</ref> In February 2012, Garrett, alongside [[Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (Australia)|Indigenous Affairs Minister]] [[Jenny Macklin]], announced an expansion of the [[Stronger Futures Policy#School attendance and enrollment|Improving School Enrollment and Attendance through Welfare Reform Measure]] (SEAM), a program through which parents of indigenous students in the [[Northern Territory]] can have their [[Centrelink]] payments suspended for three months if their children are not attending or enrolled in school. Though the Government claimed that the program improved indigenous school attendance, it was heavily criticised by some indigenous spokespeople and academics for being excessively punitive rather than implementing other policies that may have been far more effective in improving school attendance.

In 2013, Garrett pledged to increase funding to public schools as recommended in the [[Gonski Report]], in order to reduce inequality in educational performance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.petergarrett.com.au/high-quality-education-for-every-australian-child-2/ |title=High quality education for every Australian child |first=Peter |last=Garrett |date=28 November 2012 |website=petergarrett.com.au |access-date=9 June 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302070655/http://www.petergarrett.com.au/high-quality-education-for-every-australian-child-2/ |archive-date=2 March 2014}}</ref> In a 2014 book review, Garrett stated that he was concerned at the growth of private schools, which could lead to "an increasingly segregated school system". He noted that the National School Chaplaincy Program needed to change their guidelines because "the line between chaplains acting to support students in the provision of general pastoral care and proselytising was too easily crossed".<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://sydneyreviewofbooks.com/taking-god-to-school-marion-maddox/ |title=Free, compulsory and secular: 'Taking God to School' by Marion Maddox |first=Peter |last=Garrett |date=30 May 2014 |journal=[[Sydney Review of Books]] |access-date=9 June 2018 |archive-date=31 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531124823/http://sydneyreviewofbooks.com/taking-god-to-school-marion-maddox/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/former-education-minister-peter-garrett-says-state-schools-not-capable-of-delivering-comparatively-thorough-education/story-fngqim8m-1226937782076 |title=Former education minister Peter Garrett says state schools 'not capable of delivering comparatively thorough education' |first=Tanya |last=Chilcott |date=30 May 2014 |publisher=News.com.au |access-date=9 June 2018 |archive-date=31 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531041735/http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/former-education-minister-peter-garrett-says-state-schools-not-capable-of-delivering-comparatively-thorough-education/story-fngqim8m-1226937782076 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Garrett supported Gillard in [[Australian Labor Party leadership spill, June 2013|both 2013 leadership spills]]. After the June spill, where Rudd defeated Gillard, Garrett immediately announced his resignation as Education Minister, and the following day declared that he would not seek re-election at the [[2013 Australian federal election|2013 election]], ending his career in Parliament after nine years.<ref name="NINE MSN"/><ref name="ascendancy">{{cite news |title=Which ministers will survive the Rudd ascendancy? |newspaper=[[The Australian]] |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/which-ministers-will-survive-the-rudd-ascendancy/story-e6frg6n6-1226670415023 |last=Farr |first=Malcolm |date=26 June 2013 |access-date=5 July 2013 |archive-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627003431/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/which-ministers-will-survive-the-rudd-ascendancy/story-e6frg6n6-1226670415023 |url-status=live }}</ref>