One question makes activist on hunger strike storm out of interview
One question has caused a climate activist to storm off a TV interview after it broached a touchy subject.
Climate activist and former diplomat Gregory Andrews dramatically stormed off during a Sky News interview amid a heated debate with host Andrew Bolt.
The two discussed the activist’s decision to go on a hunger strike until the government had a timeline to stop exporting fossil fuels.
Eight days into his hunger strike staged at Parliament House, Mr Andrews, a man of impressive political pedigree himself, claimed he wouldn’t stop until the government intervenes to cease massive coal and gas exports.
But the decision to put his health at risk for the cause led to a hostile back-and-forth between the host and his guest and ended when Bolt questioned Mr Andrews’ parenting choices.
“I’m doing (the hunger strike) for my children, and I’m doing that for my country,” Mr Andrews said.
But Bolt threw his hands in the air, looking perturbed.
“It’s that type of alarmism that’s really freaking me out – you’re freaking me out, and you’re freaking your daughter out,” Bolt said.
Mr Andrews snapped back: “You don’t know what my daughter thinks.”
“If you keep going this way, you’ve got only two weeks left to live on this stupid idea that your daughter hasn’t got a future – you’re betraying her and betraying her double if you keep going with this,” Bolt said.
Mr Andrews, frustrated, took aim at Bolt’s manners.
“I really do wish you had better manners; I wish you had better manners because you’re rude,” he said before standing up, ridding himself of his mic, and leaving the studio.”
The interview started on slightly better terms with Mr Andrews detailing his plight, criticising the billions the Australian government gives annually to big companies in fossil fuel subsidies.
“You must be very hungry by now?” Bolt quipped as the interview on Wednesday evening kicked off.
“Actually, believe it or not, I’m not hungry; I’ve never done this before, but after about three days, pretty much, my gastrointestinal system shut down, and I went into starvation mode,” Mr Andrews responded.
“That could fund 140,000 teachers or nurses’ positions or build 22 world-class hospitals,” he said.
Bolt then asked the question that would eventually derail the interview: “Is it fair or mature to stage this drama featuring yourself where you say ‘do as I say, or I’ll kill myself?’” Bolt asked.
Mr Andrews responded by saying: “At the end of this century, when my children are alive, 3-6 billion people won’t have a safe place to live on earth if the emissions keep growing like they are. The Albanese government isn’t listening.”
Bolt, feeling the question was unanswered, interjected and tried again. He argued the issue was being addressed appropriately in the “democratic process”.
“Let me answer your question – don’t interrupt me,” Mr Andrews snapped back.
Alas, Bolt asked again.
“Yes I do,” Mr Andrews responded.
“That’s so immature,” Bolt said shaking his head.
Mr Andrews said he had his family’s support.
“The only person that will suffer is me, and my 83-year-old mother is fully behind me. My wife and my children are fully behind me, and the government needs to wake up to the reality that it’s not doing enough,” Mr Andrews said.
He said he was holding Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to his promise to get climate change under control.
“I want to see the same bravery and the same commitment from our prime minister (as he showed with the Voice),” Mr Andrews said.
“I want him to keep his promise.”
Bolt argued the government couldn’t cease fossil fuels exports “in the couple of weeks you’ve got to live”.
At that point, the interview turned into a screaming match.
Mr Andrews appeared to dispute Bolt’s last point as the conservative broadcaster stacked on anecdotes of economic devastation on top of it.
“You’re actually bullying me,” Mr Andrews asserted. “Let me answer the question.”
Bolt relented, and Mr Andrews got the chance to respond.
“I’ve not said the Australian government needs to phase out fossil fuels exports in the next two weeks; what I’m saying is we need a hard and real commitment from the Albanese government to break free from Australia’s fossil fuel addiction.”
After more than 30 years of service within the government, Mr Andrews has worked as an ambassador to West Africa, the nation’s first threatened species commissioner, and Australia’s deputy chief climate negotiator at the United Nations.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has approved four coal mine projects this year, which he has pointed to as a catalyst for his action.
I’ve represented Australia in jobs with fancy titles but my most important job title is Dad.
— Gregory Andrews (@LyrebirdDream) November 8, 2023
When Andrew Bolt went after my daughter, who wants a safe climate future, I felt deeply disrespected. I don’t tolerate abuse. So said goodbye and walked off set. #ClimateHungerStrikepic.twitter.com/Dqpwr8wSsg
“I worked in the government for 31 years, I’ve tried giving speeches, social media, writing letters to the government, going to protests, but emissions keep going up,” Mr Andrews told AAP earlier this week.
“Australia spends more on fossil fuel subsidies than we do on the army, but climate change is the biggest national security risk to Australia.”
Mr Andrews has reported a weight loss of 4.5kg during the first six days of his protest.
He plans to continue his protest until at least December 13th, with the expectation that Australia will take stronger action ahead of the UN’s COP 28 climate talks in Dubai.
On Thursday morning, Mr Andrews took to X, formerly Twitter, to explain why he stormed out of the interview.
“When Andrew Bolt went after my daughter, who wants a safe climate future, I felt deeply disrespected,” he wrote.
“I don’t tolerate abuse. So said goodbye and walked off set.”
Originally published as One question makes activist on hunger strike storm out of interview
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