14 days and counting for protestor on climate change hunger strike

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A Canberra protester has gone 14 days without food and counting on the lawns of Parliament House. The former Liberal staffer and public servant says he won't give up until those currently in power do more to tackle climate change.

Transcript

00:00 Gregory Andrews says he's lost 8.5 kilograms as his hunger strike hits the two week mark.

00:07 I haven't had anything to eat and I haven't put anything in my mouth except water or a few teaspoons of salt.

00:15 It represents a significant turnaround for Mr Andrews.

00:18 He used to work for former Environment Minister Greg Hunt, whose party scrapped the carbon tax.

00:23 And two years ago he was the ambassador to West Africa, promoting Australia's gas and oil projects

00:29 when he decided to quit.

00:31 I realised that I couldn't live with myself. I couldn't do that and look my daughter and my son in the eye.

00:39 His hunger strike has caught the eye of politicians, environmental groups and even artists.

00:44 He has five demands for the government.

00:47 To commit to phasing out our fossil fuel subsidies. Number two, to phase out coal and gas exports.

00:54 He's also calling for the government to release the climate risk assessment, update Australia's environment protection laws

01:01 and end native forests logging.

01:03 This is like COVID was. It's an emergency. It's a climate emergency and we need our leaders to act like it's an emergency.

01:12 Mr Andrews maintains his commitment is unwavering.

01:15 I'll give up when Anthony Albanese makes a commitment to Australia for a safe future for our children.

01:24 An act of desperation with time running out.

01:27 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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