Gregory Andrews
Gregory Andrews | |
|---|---|
| Australian High Commissioner to Ghana and West Africa | |
| In office 26 June 2020 – 25 December 2021 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Scott Morrison |
| Preceded by | Andrew Barnes |
| Succeeded by | Berenice Owen-Jones |
Gregory Andrews (born 1968) is the founder and managing director of Lyrebird Dreaming.[1] He was Australia's First Appointed Threatened Species Commissioner[2] and is the former Australian High Commissioner to Ghana and West Africa.[3]
Early life and education[edit]
He was born in Sydney in 1968 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and is a Dharawal man of shared Aboriginal and European ancestry.[4] Andrews holds a Master of Arts (Foreign Affairs and Trade) from the Australian National University and a Bachelor of Economics majoring in Econometrics with First Class Honours from the University of Newcastle.[5]
Diplomatic career[edit]
Andrews joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as a graduate in 1992.
Andrews served as Assistant Secretary, International Organisations Branch. He has previously served overseas as First Secretary, Australian Embassy, Beijing. From 2017 to 2019, Andrews was Australia's national focal point for the Responsibility to Protect and represented Australia in United Nations, bilateral and non-government negotiations on atrocity prevention.[6][7]
In 2020 Andrews was appointed as Australia's High Commissioner to Ghana to Ghana and West Africa.[8] His appointment was reportedly marred with controversy based on his support for marginalised people such as so called accused witches and Ghana's LGBT community.[9] On 20 December 2021, it is reported that the Australian Government ended Andrews appointment to Ghana, and he returned home.[10][11]
Andrews served as Australia's deputy chief climate negotiator to the United Nations.[12]
Climate Hunger Strike[edit]
On 2 November 2023, Andrews begun a hunger strike on the lawns of Australian Parliament House in Canberra, Australia protesting the lack of government action on climate change.[8] Andrews was taken to hospital after a 16-day hunger strike ending the longest hunger strike for climate action by a single person in Australia. His petition received over 4,500 signatures.[13]
References[edit]
- ^ https://www.lyrebirddreaming.com/about
- ^ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-02/threatened-species-commissioner-appointed/5566078
- ^ https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/high-commissioner-ghana
- ^ Aidt, Mik (17 November 2023). "I'm doing this for my kids and country". Centre for Climate Safety.
- ^ High Commissioner to Ghana foreignminister.gov.au 26 June 2020
- ^ https://www.globalr2p.org/publications/summary-of-the-eighth-annual-meeting-of-the-global-network-of-r2p-focal-points-helsinki-finland-june-2018/
- ^ https://r2pasiapacific.org/files/623/spotlight_jul2018_issue45_4th_chna-aus_dialogue_peacekeeping_accountability_for_prevention.pdf
- ^ a b "Gregory Andrews used to be a senior Liberal adviser. Now he's 14 days into a climate action hunger strike". ABC News. 15 November 2023 – via www.abc.net.au.
- ^ https://www.vice.com/en/article/3anmbv/ghanas-lgbtq-community-is-under-siege-and-politicians-are-leading-the-attacks
- ^ "Australia's man in Ghana reportedly recalled over support for LGBTI people". OUTinPerth. 14 December 2021.
- ^ Ayamga, Emmanuel (13 May 2021). "'I'll beat him!' - Sam George warns Australian High Commissioner over LGBT pressure". pulse.com.gh.
- ^ Foley, Mike (17 November 2023). "From diplomat to hunger striker: Gregory defied his fear of death to fight fossil fuels". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "Climate activist taken away in ambulance on day 16 of hunger strike". skynews. 17 November 2023.
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