In 2014, Andrews was appointed Threatened Species Commissioner, a position created by the incoming Coalition Government. Environment minister Greg Hunt conceded the role lacked statutory powers and would have to liaise with other agencies.[6]
Andrews served as assistant secretary of the International Organisations Branch. He has previously served overseas as first secretary at the Australian Embassy, Beijing. From 2017 to 2019, Andrews was Australia's national focal point for the Responsibility to Protect and represented Australia in United Nations, bilateral and non-government negotiations on atrocity prevention.[7][8]
In June 2020 Andrews was appointed as Australia's High Commissioner to Ghana to Ghana and West Africa.[5][9] His appointment was reportedly marred with controversy based on his support for Ghana's LGBT community and bringing an end to 'witch camps'.[10][11] On 20 December 2021, it is reported that the Australian Government ended Andrews appointment to Ghana, and he returned home.[12][13]
Andrews served as Australia's deputy chief climate negotiator to the United Nations.[14]
Controversy
Andrews sparked controversy in 2006 when he appeared, along with five other witnesses including Community Elder Mantjatjara Wilson and Community Doctor Geoff Stewart, on ABC's Lateline under the pseudonym "Anonymous Youth Worker" and claimed that paedophiles were engaging in sex slavery within Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.[2][3][15][16][17]
The Little Children Are Sacred report published by the Human Rights Commission of Australia found that although there was no evidence to support the claims of "paedophile rings", there was enough evidence to conclude a number of non-aboriginal individuals had been infiltrating aboriginal communities to abuse children, and that there was a "significant problem" in Northern Territory communities in relation to sexual abuse of children.[22][15]
The NPY Women's Council defended the substance of the Lateline witnesses in an opinion piece in The Australian.[23]
In a statement to ABC News, Andrews claimed to have suffered harassment and abuse from his appearance on Lateline, urging those criticising the program to instead "channel their energy into the protection of women and children".[24]
From August to September 2024, Andrews set out on a community awareness trip, intending to cycle 4,500 km (2,800 mi) across Australia from west to east on an ebike. In addition to promoting the importance and benefits of renewable energy, Andrews encouraged donations made online will be earmarked to specific projects which help to provide more renewable energy for people living regional and remote areas.[26][27]
^ abcLawford, Elliana (21 June 2017). "Mutitjulu, the community that was ground zero for the NT Intervention, ten years on". The Point. Retrieved 16 September 2024. This anonymous man claimed men in Mutitjulu were trading petrol for sex with young girls, and that children were being held against their will and traded between communities as "sex slaves".
^ abRamsey, Alan (29 July 2006). "The Brough and tumble of a cover-up". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 September 2024. It even ran a voice clip of an "anonymous witness" saying: "It's true. I've been told by a number of people of men getting young girls and keeping them as sex slaves."
^ Finnane, Kieran (26 October 2006). "SHOOTING THE MESSENGERS ... FROM COWARDS' CASTLE". Alice Springs News. Retrieved 17 September 2024. He conveniently overlooks NPY Women's Council's defence of the substance of the Lateline allegations. In an opinion piece, published in The Australian on August 7 and since released to other media, the council, under the names Muyuru Burton, chairwoman, Margaret Smith, vice-chairwoman and Yanyi Bandicha, director, stated in part...
