Disgraced TV star Andrew O’Keefe could be stripped of his Order of Australia AM, the country’s highest award, over “complaints” about his alleged drug use and violence.
O’Keefe’s award is currently under review by the Council of the Order of Australia, following the former Channel Seven star’s public downward spiral.
He received the award in 2017 in recognition of his television and charity work, including chairing the anti-domestic violence organization White Ribbon.
The former host of Deal or No Deal and The Chase Australia, 53, has faced a number of charges in recent years related to alleged drug use, assault and domestic violence.
A spokesperson for the Council of the Order of Australia confirmed this Daily Telegraph that it had received ‘complaints’ about O’Keefe’s medal following his domestic violence convictions.
“Any complaint will be referred to the Council for the Order of Australia, which is responsible for making recommendations to the governor,” he said.
“Issues have been raised in relation to Mr O’Keefe’s AM and are therefore being considered in line with the process.”
In a letter to Governor-General Sam Mostyn’s office, as shown in the publication, a disgruntled member of the public wrote: ‘…under the Constitution for the Order of Australia, an Order of Australia medal may be withdrawn if a recipient has been convicted of a criminal offense and/or if a recipient has brought the Order of Australia into disrepute…’
Disgraced TV star Andrew O’Keefe (centre) could be stripped of his Order of Australia AM
O’Keefe (pictured during his 2021 arrest) faces several charges related to drug use, assault and domestic violence
‘Can you please advise me whether you are conducting an investigation into whether Andrew O’Keefe’s Order of Australia AM Medal should be revoked?
‘He has numerous convictions to his name.
‘Medals may be returned because the recipient acknowledges that he has brought discredit upon the Order and has acted honorably.’
While speaking directly to O’Keefe, the person said, “Hand in yours, buddy.” You have brought the order into disrepute.”
Calls for O’Keefe to be stripped of the honor first began in 2022 when he was charged with assaulting a woman at his Sydney home during a 2021 argument.
NSW House of Representatives MP Mark Latham at the time joined calls to scrap O’Keefe’s award, labeling him a “public menace” in Parliament.
O’Keefe is currently in custody after entering guilty pleas to a drug possession charge, as well as separate charges of trespassing and violating an assault warrant.
Calls for Andrew O’Keefe (pictured outside Rose Bay Police Station in September) to be stripped of his honor began when he was first charged in 2022 with assaulting a woman at his Sydney home
He allegedly unlawfully entered a Sydney home in July and was arrested in September after allegedly overdosing and being caught with crystal meth in his car.
O’Keefe was fined for drug possession and given a 30-month community corrections order for breaching the AVO.
O’Keefe was released on bail but was rushed to hospital days later after overdosing on drugs at a house in Vaucluse.
Two days later, on September 18, police allegedly found crystal meth in his car when he reported to Rose Bay police station as part of his bail conditions.
O’Keefe was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and be banned from driving for three months on the drug charge.
A further charge of stalking and/or intimidation with intent to cause fear or physical harm relating to the July incident was dropped as part of the plea deal.
“Your life has just been completely derailed,” Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge told O’Keefe during a recent videolink appearance at Waverley Local Court.
“The only person who is going to make your life different is you.”
Then she remarked, “God help him, and it’s a shame he has no revelation.”