184. After Former Ambassador’s Climate Hunger Strike: Gregory Andrews on its extraordinary & complex outcomes

The RegenNarration Podcast

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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.
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 on the episode web page), 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.
Title slide: Gregory on his back patio amongst the trees in Canberra during this conversation.
Music:
Regeneration, by Amelia Barden, off the soundtrack for the film Regenerating Australia.
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).
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Chapters

1. Preview, Introduction & Supporter Thanks (00:00:00)

2. What happened with the strike & how does it feel now? (00:02:30)

3. Why the reality of our situation doesn't seem to be landing with people (00:07:00)

4. Talking about Kate Chaney's (and others) decision not to support the strike (00:13:20)

5. Transformation and Connection (How Gregory's Changed Out of The Strike) (00:26:00)

6. Importance of Getting More Independent MPs in Parliament (00:35:55)

7. The Community Vigil That Took His Place After The Strike (A Healthier Model of Action?) (00:46:20)

8. Media and Social Media Impact Through This & From Here (00:51:45)

9. Generating Community-Based Independent Media (similar to the community-based independent MPs)? (00:59:55)

10. How to Support Gregory or Get More Involved Generally (01:03:30)

11. Music That Kept Gregory Going During the Strike (01:06:20)

12. The Biodiversity Covenant He's Put on a Property (01:07:53)