Andrew grew up on a dairy farm at Epping, north of Melbourne, before moving to Reservoir in his teens, with his parents and 8 siblings. He attended Parade, Christian Brothers College, before gaining a Diploma of Agricultural Science from Dookie Agricultural College and later an Honours Degree in Economics from La Trobe University.
In the 70s Andrew worked for the Department of Agriculture (Victoria) as both an animal health officer and then as agricultural economist before moving on to become the Economist for the National Farmers' Federation. In the 80s Andrew served as Executive Director of the Cattle Council of Australia, and later Executive Director of the National Farmers' Federation.
From 1990 to 1997 Andrew served as Federal Director and Campaign Director of the Liberal Party. The highlight of that time was directing the successful 1996 federal election campaign.
From 1997 to 2004 Andrew worked for PBL, as well as providing strategic advice to major companies around Australia and overseas, then built an Australia-wide direct marketing technology company. Also, Andrew was a Board Member of Sinclair Knight Merz, Australia’s largest consulting engineering company.
During these years Andrew was a Board Member of Garvan Medical Research Foundation, Chairman and then Board Member of the Menzies Research Centre, Chairman of the Australian Direct Marketing Association, a member of the national board of the Big Brother Big Sister mentoring organisation, a member of the YWCA Leadership group and honorary Treasurer of the Liberal Party in NSW.
In 2003 Andrew was awarded the Office of the Order of Australia and Centenary Medal for his service to agriculture, politics and the community.
Andrew was elected to the Federal seat of Goldstein in October 2004. Positions held in government included Chairman of the Government’s Workplace Relations Taskforce, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Vocational and Further Education.
Following the Federal Election of November 2007, and the Coalition’s move to Opposition, Andrew was appointed Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs.
In September 2008, Andrew was appointed Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and COAG and Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader on Emissions Trading Design.
Drawing on over 30 years of business, agricultural and political experience, this shadow portfolio is at the cutting edge of some of the most complex and contentious economic issues that will shape Australia over the coming years and decades.
Andrew lives in Brighton with his wife Maureen and has three adult children Tom, Joe and Pip.
