Karen Andrews

Born in Brisbane and raised in Townsville, Queensland, Andrews graduated from the Queensland University of Technology in 1983 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering before going on to work at various power stations in Queensland, and later chemical and petrochemical sites interstate, where she specialised in design and plant maintenance.

After working as an engineer for a number of years, Andrews completed a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations from Victoria University and began a new career as an industrial relations advocate working in the engineering and construction industries. Her expertise in industrial relations resulted in the Victorian government approaching her to head up the Industrial Relations Branch of the Department of Health and Community Services, where she was responsible for negotiating with public sector employees including nurses, ambulance officers, doctors and community service workers.

In the mid-1990s Andrews and her husband established a private human resources and industrial relations consultancy with a client base throughout Australia and New Zealand. She undertook further studies in alternative dispute resolution gaining a Certificate in Mediation from the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia to assist businesses and individuals with disputes through negotiation and mediation.

Andrews was elected at the 2010 federal election to represent the southern Gold Coast electorate of McPherson in the Australian House of Representatives and is a member of the Liberal National Party of Queensland (a Coalition party). The Federal Electoral Division of McPherson covers an area of approximately 230 square kilometres (89 sq mi) from Coolangatta in the south to Clear Island Waters in the north, and west to Mudgeeraba and Tallebudgera Valley. As part of her parliamentary career, Andrews was previously a member of the House of Representatives Standing Committee for on Education and Employment from 25.10.10 to 10.2.15 and the Joint Standing Committee on Public Works from 25.10.10 to 3.3.15 and was Chair from 12.12.13 to 3.3.15. She is a co-founder and co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Science, which seeks to promote closer engagement between the scientific community and political representatives.

In December 2014, Andrews was promoted to Assistant Minister for Science in the Abbott Ministry.[3][4] She continued to hold that position after Malcolm Turnbull became prime minister in September 2015. Following a reshuffle in July 2016, she was instead made Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills.[2]

Following a leadership spill that saw Malcolm Turnbull removed as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party in August 2018, Andrews was promoted to Minister for Industry, Science and Technology of the newly formed Morrison Government. She was sworn in on 28 August 2018.[5]

In an interview with Sky News, Andrews declared that coal would play a major role in Australia's energy mix in the future.[6]

According to the Parliament's registers of financial interests, she has nine investment properties.[7]

In January 2020, Andrews caused a stir in national politics by asserting that it was time to move on from ideological battles over climate change, saying that it had robbed Australia of the time and energy needed to respond to the change. "Every second that we spend talking about whether or not the climate is changing is a second that we are not spending on looking at adaptation [and] mitigation strategies. ... It really is time for everyone to move on and look at what we're going to do."[8]

• Official website
• Search or browse Hansard for Karen Andrews at OpenAustralia.org