A hunger striker for climate action has abruptly ended a heated TV interview with conservative pundit Andrew Bolt, whom he accused of “bullying” him.
Gregory Andrews, a former high-level Australian diplomat, is on a hunger strike on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra, saying he will starve himself until the Albanian government provides a timeline to end fossil fuel exports.
However, Bolt was far from impressed by his actions. The interview on Wednesday night’s Sky News show The Bolt Report quickly turned into an angry confrontation with the two men trying to talk over each other.
“I wish you had better manners. You’re rude. Goodbye,” Andrews said as he turned off his microphone and ended the call.
“I wish you were more sensible, honestly. I wish you were a better parent,” Bolt replied as his guest stormed out.
Bolt’s comments about parenthood were in response to Andrews’ comment that he organized the protest so his daughter could “have a future” and live on a “safe planet.”
Mr Andrews said his daughter attended the same high school in Canberra as Albanian Finance Minister Katy Gallagher.
“Katie Gallagher sits behind me in Parliament House and she approves fossil fuel subsidies that are destroying the future of our children and destroying our national security,” Andrews said.
Bolt shook his head during the response and muttered, “Oh, that’s sad.”
“That kind of alarmism is driving your daughter crazy by suggesting she has no future,” Bolt said.
“Andrew, you don’t know what my daughter is thinking. My daughter is with me 100 percent. She wants a future, she wants to live,” Andrews replied.
“If you continue like this, you will only have two weeks to live with the stupid idea that your daughter has no future,” Bolt said, implying that Andrews would die if he continued his hunger strike.
‘You’re betraying her. You’ll betray her doppelgänger if you go through with this.’
Mr Andrews has been on a hunger strike on the lawns in front of Canberra’s Parliament House
Earlier, Bolt had told Andrews that his actions were futile.
“You know the government can’t stop coal and gas exports, especially in the few weeks you have left to live if you don’t eat before they do,” he said.
“It would destroy the economy, it would destroy the federal budget.”
Mr. Andrews tried to make a point in response, but neither man stopped to listen.
“If you don’t mind being a little honest with me, I’m on hunger strike for…” he said
“I’m trying to answer the question, but you keep interrupting me.”
“I’d like you to show me some respect. I starved myself for seven weeks and you bully….”
‘Let me ask the question. I haven’t asked yet. Let me ask,” Bolt snaps.
Mr Andrews said he lost 4.5kg in the first six days of the protest (Mr Andrews pictured with Associate Professor of Biology at ANU Benjamin Schwessinger with delegates from East Timor)
‘You’re rude. Right now you’re yelling at me,” Mr. Andrews shoots back.
“They (the federal government) can’t do what you want,” Bolt insisted.
“Many Australians will suffer, in a few weeks you will be dead.”
“I did not say that the Australian government should phase out fossil fuel exports in the next two weeks,” Andrews responded.
“What I am saying is that we need a hard and real commitment from the Albanian government to escape its addiction to fossil fuels. I do that for my children and I do that for my country.’
Mr Andrews has worked with the government for more than 30 years, including as ambassador to West Africa, as Australia’s first endangered species commissioner and as Australia’s deputy chief climate negotiator at the United Nations.
He said yes already lost 4.5 kg in the first six days of not eating has declared and is committed to abstaining from food until at least December 13, hoping Australia will step up action before the UN’s COP 28 climate talks in Dubai.
Independent Senator David Pocock visited Mr Andrews, while staff from other politicians dropped by and offered support.