Stephen Andrew | |
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![]() Andrew, c. 2017 | |
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Mirani | |
Assumed office 25 November 2017 | |
Preceded by | Jim Pearce |
Personal details | |
Born | Stephen Seymour James Andrew 9 December 1968 Mackay, Queensland, Australia |
Political party | Independent (since 2024) |
Other political affiliations | One Nation (until 2024) |
Children | 2 |
Residence(s) | Mackay, Queensland, Australia |
Stephen Seymour James Andrew (born 9 December 1968) is an Australian politician who has served as the member for Mirani in the Queensland Legislative Assembly since 2017.[1]
Andrew describes himself as a "fourth-generation South Sea Islander", and is the first South Sea Islander to be elected to parliament.[2] His great-great-grandmother Lucy Querro of Ambae Island (now part of Vanuatu) was one of the Pacific Islander workers who came to Queensland to work in either the sugarcane fields or domestic service; Andrew claims she was "blackbirded". In July 2019 Andrew became a Vanuatu tribal chieftain, Chief Moli Duru Ambrae, following ceremonies held on Ambae Island.[3] He was bestowed the chiefly name Moli Duru Ambae.[4]
Before entering parliament he worked as a firearms dealer and pest controller.[5] Andrew is the sole One Nation MP in the Queensland Parliament, but is not the state leader of the party. Ousted MP Steve Dickson held the position until his resignation.[6][7] The position is currently vacant.
On 2 August 2024, Andrew was disendorsed by One Nation for the 2024 Queensland state election after he considered joining Katter's Australian Party. Following the disendorsment, Andrew resigned from One Nation to sit as an independent.[8]
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