184. After Former Ambassador’s Climate Hunger Strike
Gregory Andrews on its extraordinary & complex outcomes
D’harawal man Gregory Andrews is the Former Ambassador and first Threatened Species Commissioner of Australia who went on Climate Hunger Strike outside Australia’s federal parliament for, as he put it, my kids and country. On the 16th day, he was hospitalised. And while Gregory began his recovery, a community vigil of sorts kicked in, with people taking Gregory’s place, fasting for a day each. And that’s just a hint of some of the extraordinary insight and power sparked by Gregory’s experience - as indeed the history of these sorts of experiences has often found. Though not all progressive voices, in this instance, including my federal independent MP, as it happens, Kate Chaney, were in support.
Gregory on his back patio amongst the trees in Canberra during this conversation.
“I felt like I had this forcefield around me and it radiated power and influence. And I honestly feel like it was the most powerful thing I ever did, much more powerful than being an ambassador for Australia, or a ministerial advisor or the threatened species commissioner. ”
We talk about all this in what became a very personal exchange about the value of what we can give of our lives, in these times.
Head here for automatic cues to chapter markers (also available on the embedded player above), and a transcript of this conversation (please note the transcript is AI generated and imperfect, but hopefully serves to provide greater access to these conversations for those who need or like to read).
This was recorded on 27 November 2023.
Find more:
Lyrebird Dreaming, Gregory’s website, including the Climate Hunger Strike petition outlining his 5 demands of the government.
Songs from a Hungry Finch (Gregory’s playlist while on hunger strike).
Music:
Regeneration, composed by Amelia Barden, from the soundtrack to the film Regenerating Australia.