GetUp, the Australian progressive campaigning organisation, has appointed former journalist David Sharaz to a senior leadership role in Australia, signalling a renewed push to mobilise supporters ahead of the 2028 federal election. The move comes as the group emphasises organisational strength and a more aggressive stance against groups it characterises as a democratic threat from the political right. Sharaz’s appointment was confirmed in recent days, with GetUp framing the hire as part of a broader strategic refresh meant to arm the organisation for sustained policy-focused campaigns across the country.
Sharaz previously worked in public relations and communications, bringing a background in media and public affairs to the role. The appointment also places Sharaz in the national spotlight due to his public profile and his personal connections within political circles. He is married to Brittany Higgins, a former Liberal staffer who has been a central figure in federal politics since 2021. The pairing has drawn attention amid ongoing conversations about accountability, media coverage, and the interplay between politicians and public discourse.
Analysts and observers have noted that GetUp’s shift appears aimed at strengthening its capacity to mobilise supporters, coordinate campaigns, and push for policy wins as part of a long-term strategy rather than responding solely to short-term pressures. The organisation has signalled a heightened focus on organising, fundraising, and message discipline, with the aim of translating advocacy into tangible policy impact in the lead-up to the next federal contest.
GetUp has identified conservative groups, including other organised campaign networks, as a key driver of political competition in Australia. The new appointment is being framed as a response to what the group describes as a “democratic threat” in the current environment, and a signal that GetUp intends to bolster its capacity to counter, in its words, misinformation and political influence designed to sway public policy. The exact scope of Sharaz’s responsibilities remains to be clarified by the organisation, but the leadership transition is understood to be part of a wider plan to recalibrate resources and priorities for sustained engagement across policy areas.
The development arrives at a moment when discussions about political campaigning, media strategy, and public accountability are intensifying in national discourse. While GetUp’s aims are stated in broad terms – to advance progressive policy priorities and mobilise a broad base of supporters – the hiring has stirred questions about how the group will balance activism with governance, and how it will coordinate with other stakeholders in the political landscape. As the 2028 election approaches, observers will be watching not only the messaging but also the organisational changes behind it, including staffing, funding, and the integration of new leadership within the broader campaign ecosystem.
What we know
- GetUp has appointed David Sharaz to a senior leadership role in Australia.
- The move is part of a broader effort to rebuild organisational strength and expand policy-focused campaigns.
- The organisation identifies conservative groups as a current strategic antagonist and says it will confront them more directly.
- Sharaz has a background in journalism and public relations, bringing media and communications experience to the role.
- Sharaz is married to Brittany Higgins, a former Liberal staffer who has been a high-profile figure in federal politics since 2021.
What we don’t know
- The exact title, scope, and day-to-day responsibilities of Sharaz within GetUp’s leadership framework.
- How the appointment will affect current campaign priorities, staffing, and resource allocation.
- Whether additional senior hires or structural changes are planned as part of the broader organisational refresh.
- The specifics of how GetUp intends to measure success against its stated aims for the 2028 contest.
- How the partnership with and coverage of public figures connected to political events will be managed going forward.
As GetUp outlines its refreshed strategy, political watchers will be closely tracking how the organisation translates leadership changes into campaign effectiveness and whether the approach will reshape debates around policy, advocacy, and campaigning in Australian politics. The coming months are expected to reveal more detail about the new roles, the resources behind them, and how GetUp plans to translate organisational growth into concrete wins at the ballot box.
