Hunger strike climate change activist is rushed to hospital on his 16th day as he protests outside Parliament House after suffering debilitating symptoms and losing 10kg

A former high-level Australian diplomat has been hospitalized for two weeks after embarking on a hunger strike outside parliament.

Gregory Andrews started his protest in early November, promising not to eat food until Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ‘gets serious’ and takes climate action.

But on the sixteenth day of his hunger strike, he reported feeling chest pain and shortness of breath.

Mr Andrews walked unaided to a waiting ambulance where he was taken to hospital

He was attended by two nurses from Parliament House who asked if he wanted to walk before calling an ambulance on Friday.

Mr Andrews walked unassisted into the back of the emergency vehicle when it arrived on the lawns of Parliament House.

He had already lost significant amounts of weight, having dropped 10kg on Friday.

The former diplomat has worked with the government for more than 30 years, including as ambassador to West Africa, endangered species commissioner and Australia’s deputy chief climate negotiator at the United Nations.

Paramedics discuss Mr Andrew’s health with him

He pointed to Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s decision to approve four coal mining projects this year as a boost to his push for action.

Andrews planned to protest until at least December 13, hoping Australia will step up its climate actions before the UN’s COP 28 talks in Dubai.

Mr Andrews has given a series of interviews to Ny Breaking Australia and other media about his condition.

He left a particularly fiery stoush with Sky News presenter Andrew Bolt last week.