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About Andrew
Andrew Wilkie is a well-known campaigner for truth in politics. He has published a best-selling book – Axis of Deceit – about the dishonesty behind the Iraq war and undertaken numerous speaking engagements in Australia, the UK, the US and New Zealand. Andrew’s concern with governance has its origins in his decision to resign from the Office of National Assessments (ONA) on 11 March 2003 in protest over the Iraq war. He was the only serving intelligence official in Australia, the UK and US to resign publicly before the invasion.
Andrew is not a member of any political party nor involved with one in any way, although he has been a member of the Liberal Party as well as the Greens. At the 2010 Tasmanian State election Andrew came within 315 votes of being elected as an Independent when he finished as the fifth highest vote-getter in the Denison electorate and in the top 25 in the state (five Members are elected in each of Tasmania’s five electorates). Andrew again ran as an Independent in Denison at the 2010 Federal election where he caused a major upset by taking the previously safe seat from the ALP in one of the biggest swings seen at the election. Afterwards he decided to provide certainty of supply and confidence to the ALP, making him one of the four cross-benchers giving government to the Labor Party and re-installing Julia Gillard as Prime Minister. Beyond this minimalist support Andrew is fiercely independent: all Bills and Motions he considers on merit with the result that sometimes he supports the Government and sometimes the Opposition. Andrew’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts, Graduate Diploma of Management and Graduate Diploma of Defence Studies. Awards he has received include the Australian Intelligence Community Medallion (twice), Australia Day Achievement Medallion, UN Association of Australia Whistleblower Award, Australian Plaintiff Lawyers Association Civil Justice Award and Free Speech Victoria Voltaire Award. Andrew is 49 years old, married to Kate Burton and lives in Sandy Bay. They have two young daughters, Olive and Rose. |
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Prior to his work in ONA Andrew served in the Army where he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He has also worked in senior management roles with the American defence contractor Raytheon and run a small business with his wife.
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