Hon Dr Andrew Lu AM – Class of 1995
Since graduating from Duncraig SHS in 1995 the Hon Dr Andrew Lu AM has become a self-proclaimed lifelong learner, the first person of Chinese background to lead a government tribunal or court in Australia and has been named a member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Andrew has completed a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Western Australia, a Master of Laws at the University of New England, and a research doctorate in Law at the Australian National University in Canberra. He attended Yale University in the United States after being awarded the Fulbright scholarship and during his master’s degree attended the London School of Economics.
Andrew is a lawyer, company director, decision-maker, and the head of a small Government agency. In December of 2022, after working as a lawyer for 21 years in commercial law and being a member of the State Administrative Tribunal, he became the President of the Mental Health Tribunal. The Mental Health Tribunal is an independent office safeguarding the rights of mental health patients in WA who require treatment under the Mental Health Act 2014. To obtain the position of President you must be appointed by the Governor, on the recommendation of the Minister for Health and Mental Health.
“My career has been the product of hard work, a lot of persistence and a bit of luck.”
On top of his current work, he teaches and writes about the law, especially focusing on health law and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Curtin University Law School.
Andrew’s work has given him many opportunities including travel; from Park City in Utah for the Sundance Film Festival to Singapore where he has visited family and enjoyed one of his favourite dishes, Laksa. Andrew has lived and worked in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, London, Hong Kong, New Haven, New York, and Perth.
With a busy professional life Andrew does take time to rest and recharge, watching too many movies and attending concerts. He has a special interest in the visual and performing arts; “I enjoy living with art; it’s great to be able to meet artists and support their work”. Andrew makes an effort to attend live performances, premieres and see any special exhibits at commercial galleries, artist-run spaces and in the public art museums such as the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art or the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
In his busy life of work and supporting the arts Andrew finds time to volunteer his time on various boards; SBS, Arts Law Centre of Australia, the Melbourne International Film Festival, the National Gallery of Australia Foundation, and the Australian Youth Orchestra and is a member of the Old Court House Law Museum Foundation Committee.
“I was deeply moved when I was named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for significant service to the visual and performing arts, to the law, and to legal education. This recognised the work of many wonderful people and organisations I have served with for many years. It was especially nice to share that with my spouse and with my mother, who are two of the most important people in my life.”
In 2022 the Asian Australian Alliance added Andrew’s name to list of the 122 most influential Asian Australians, alongside Minister Penny Wong, chef and author Adam Liaw, and the tech billionaire Melanie Perkins who founded Canva in her Duncraig living room. After dedicating so much of his life to law and the arts it is not surprising Andrew has been recognised in many prestigious ways and continues to be an inspiration in his field.