Ending speculation about his political future, Australian Opposition Leader Mark Latham has announced he will lead Midnight Oil in its comeback concert for tsunami victims at the Sydney Cricket Ground this month. The Opposition Leader’s appointment as the frontman of one of Australia’s most outspoken and environmentally conscious rock groups is understood to be part of a “leader-exchange” program.

“We promised Peter Garrett leadership of the Australian Labor Party and in return, Mr Latham would headline the Oils on any future “Best Of” or charity tours,” an unnamed ALP official confirmed.

Mr Latham — pictured practising Garrett-esque dance moves — says he is making the switch due to the recent recurrence of his pancreatitis. He believes the rock-and-roll lifestyle should prove less stressful and less of a health risk than sitting in Parliament and sneering at John Howard and Tony Abbott.

But already critics have questioned Mr Latham’s leadership skills after he indicated that the Oils would play Surf’s up Tonight, Underwater and Drop in the Ocean during the first 15 minutes of the tsunami charity concert.

Mr Latham informed the Daily Ripper that the reason he had not made a statement regarding the tsunami disaster over Christmas was that he hoped his music would speak louder than words.

“Just like Elton John after the Princess Diana disaster, I have ‘reworked’ an Oils classic to tell the plight of the people of Phuket,” Mr Latham said.

Mr Latham hopes his rendition of Beds are Soggy will allow people to see — through music — the problems facing the disaster victims and encourage Australians to dig deep.

“Sometimes it’s hard to believe what goes on in this crazy world but with the media coverage of the tsunami, seeing is believing,” he said.

Mr Latham has promised that his new position will not change the man behind the music.

“Hell, I’m still a Labor politician and the only time I’m gonna be interested in green issues is at election time or when I blow my nose,” he said.

The Opposition Leader is not turning his back on politics, planning to remain on the backbench in the new Garrett-led Opposition.

“At the moment I have the best of both worlds, with music and politics both important parts of my life,” Mr Latham said.

When questioned on Mr Garrett’s imminent appointment as Opposition Leader, Mr Latham answered: “Well, I don’t wanna be the one, and Peter has a lot of power and passion for this lucky country.

“After the last election defeat I just thought, ‘Well, you wouldn’t read about it’. That bastard Howard, with assistance from US forces and terrorism threats, managed to be returned to office. My family and I tried to put on brave faces but I knew somebody’s trying to tell me something,” Mr Latham said.

“The Australian people as a collective clearly have a short memory. I guess that when events change in the outside world and these last few years are forgotten years, then maybe I’ll quit the Oils and move back to the Labor Party full-time.”

Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst has declared that he has the support of the Oils caucus and will challenge for leadership of the band.

“Jim Moginie and Martin Rotsey are behind my challenge and Bones Hillman will do whatever the hell he’s told cause he’s just a bass player,” Hirst said.

Only time will tell whether Mr Latham will be able to hold power as Midnight Oil’s king of the mountain.