Disgraced TV star Andrew O’Keefe could be stripped of his Order of Australia AM, the country’s highest honour, over “complaints” about his alleged drug use and violence.
O’Keefe’s award is being reviewed by the Council of the Order of Australia following the former Channel Seven star’s public downward spiral.
She received the award in 2017 in recognition of her television and charity work, which involved chairing the anti-domestic violence organization White Ribbon.
The former Deal or No Deal and The Chase Australia host, 53, has faced a string of charges relating to alleged drug use, assault and domestic violence in recent years.
A spokesperson for the Council of the Order of Australia confirmed to the Daily Telegraph that he had received “complaints” about O’Keefe’s medal following his domestic violence convictions.
“Any complaints made are referred to the Council of the Order of Australia, which is responsible for making recommendations to the Governor,” he said.
“Issues have been raised about Mr O’Keefe’s AM so, in accordance with the process, these are under consideration.”
In a letter to Governor General Sam Mostyn’s office, seen by the publication, a disgruntled member of the public wrote: “…under the Order of Australia Constitution, an Order of Australia medal can be revoked if a recipient has been convicted of a criminal act and/or if a recipient has brought the Order of Australia into disrepute…’
Disgraced TV star Andrew O’Keefe (centre) could be stripped of his Order of Australia AM
O’Keefe (pictured during his arrest in 2021) has faced several charges related to drug use, assault and domestic violence.
‘Could you please let us know if you are carrying out an investigation into whether Andrew O’Keefe’s AM Medal of the Order of Australia should be revoked?
He has countless convictions to his name.
“Medals can be returned because the recipient recognizes that they have brought the Order into disrepute and done something honorable.”
Speaking directly to O’Keefe, the person told him, “Give me yours, buddy.” You have discredited the order.
Calls for O’Keefe to be stripped of the honor began in 2022, when he was accused of assaulting a woman at his Sydney home during an argument in 2021.
At the time, New South Wales Upper House MP Mark Latham joined calls for O’Keefe’s award to be removed, calling him a “public menace” in parliament.
O’Keefe is currently in custody after pleading guilty to one count of drug possession, as well as separate charges of breaking and entering and failing to comply with a restraining order.
Calls for Andrew O’Keefe (pictured in September outside Rose Bay police station) to be stripped of the honor began when he was first charged in 2022 with assaulting a woman at his Sydney home.
In July, he allegedly broke into a Sydney home and was arrested in September after allegedly overdosing and being arrested with methamphetamine in his car.
O’Keefe was fined on the drug possession charge and given a 30-month community corrections order for breaching the AVO.
O’Keefe was released on bail but was rushed to hospital days later after suffering a drug overdose at a home in Vaucluse.
Two days later, on September 18, police allegedly found methamphetamine in his car when he turned up at the Rose Bay police station as part of his bail conditions.
O’Keefe was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and banned from driving for three months on the drug charge.
As part of the plea deal, another charge of stalking or intimidating with intent to cause fear or physical harm related to the July incident was dismissed.
“Your life has been completely derailed,” Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge told O’Keefe during a recent video conference appearance at Waverley Local Court.
“The only person who will make your life different will be you.”
He then commented, “God help him, and it’s a shame he doesn’t have an epiphany.”
