Media

GetUp is an independent, grassroots advocacy organisation, built to hold politicians to account. We’re not-for-profit, not a political party and we’re funded by our members’ donations.

We are working toward a parliament with economic fairness, social justice and environmental sustainability at its core.

GetUp brings together progressive people from all political backgrounds and parties, but is independent of all parties. It is GetUp's political independence that allows us to work with and critique all political parties without fear or favour.

Like-minded Australians concerned about Australia’s direction and ready to work for change through strength in numbers.

GetUp has a core team of staff and volunteers in Sydney, who conduct research on new campaigns, develop the website, prepare GetUp email updates and raise awareness of our campaigns in the media.

Ultimately, the real work and impact of GetUp is achieved through our members, who make the calls, send the emails and supply the financial support.

Founded when the Howard Government took control of the Senate, built to be a constant check for Government authority.

Parties uninspiring, concern for political direction, no meaningful way to participate in democracy, built to hold politicians to account when they don’t do that themselves.

Political parties and institutional politics have too often failed to inspire people or offer meaningful opportunities for participation, yet despite years of economic good times, many Australians remain deeply concerned about the political direction of our country. It has not been a good decade for Australia's progressives - those of us who share a commitment to the values of social justice, cultural diversity, ecological sustainability and economic fairness.

GetUp.org.au is providing Australians with the tools to fight back, and take innovative and effective action on important issues facing our country. GetUp members are building a ground-up movement of real people who are putting the participation back into our democracy.

We run campaigns – targeted, coordinated, strategic action for social justice – decided on by interest and input.

These might be emails to members to gauge funding, contact MPs – individuals and GetUp lobbying, engage media, hold events, TV/print ads.

GetUp.org.au members take action. By signing up for updates, GetUp.org.au members receive emails alerting them to new campaigns and providing ways of affecting positive change. Whether it is sending an email to a member of parliament, engaging with the media, attending an event or helping to get a television ad on the air, GetUp members are always only ever asked to take targeted, coordinated and strategic action.

GetUp receives no government or political party funding. Instead we're largely supported by thousands of individuals who may not have a lot of time or money, but who care about the issues and want to have a say. We also receive support from organisations, unions and community groups.

A picture of the GetUp movement this year:
- 370,000 members
- 67,000 donations
- $37 average donation
- 495,000 actions by GetUp members

GetUp was founded in 2005 by Jeremy Heimans and David Madden, two young Australian graduates of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government who have worked at the intersection of technology, new media and politics in the United States. David and Jeremy are now co-founders of Avaaz.org, a new global online political community inspired by the success of GetUp and the US group MoveOn.org.

In September 2008, after two years as Executive Director, Brett Solomon left GetUp to move to Avaaz.org and a new National Director, Simon Sheikh was appointed.

GetUp has a board that advises the staff. The board includes GetUp's co-founders David Madden and Jeremy Heimans, community organiser Amanda Tattersall, the founder of Rural Australians for Refugees Anne Coombs and former Executive Director Brett Solomon.

Aired over 25 television ads on everything from the Iraq war to Tibet, children in detention, internet censorship, climate change, mental health and giving refugees a fair go.

Won a High Court challenge to overturn unconstitutional aspects of the Electoral Act, enfranchising over 100,000 Australians

Mobilised across the nation for the biggest ever independent election efforts in Australia at the 2007 and 2010 federal elections, with over 15,000 volunteers and 1.6 million issue-scorecards distributed

Pioneered online enrolment and won a Federal Court challenge to make it legal for Australians to enrol to vote online.

Helped ensure children are no longer kept in immigration detention, and end the unfair policy of charging refugees for their time in detention.

Fought to bring David Hicks home to Australia.

Joined locals in the fight to stop the socially and environmentally destructive Gunns Pulp Mill in Bell Bay with a three year campaign including international advertising which saw dozens of potential financers withdraw from the project.

Secured an end to sedition laws and comprehensive review of national security laws in Australia

Secured an $88m increase in funding for the ABC

Helped save from destruction the oldest collection of rock art in the world on the Burrup Peninsula, WA.

Brought together senators from across party lines to win a conscience vote stopping ministerial veto of the RU486 non-surgical abortion medication.

United over 100,000 Australians against the Government's proposed mandatory internet filter, a policy which will now will not pass the current Parliament

Rallied behind the apology to stolen generations and held over 300 'Reconciliation GetTogethers' across the nation.

For the full details of campaigns achievements both current and past, see our Achievements page.

Sam McLean is the National Director of GetUp. Sam first started with GetUp as a volunteer more than five years ago, and by 22 he had risen to become GetUp’s Communications and Campaigns Director. At 24, he succeeded Simon Sheikh as National Director.

Influenced by his early days as a Grassroots Campaigner and Field Manager, he is an advocate of boosting progressive activism at the local level and helped to establish CommunityRun, a tool that empowers GetUp members to start and run their own campaigns. Sam is also passionate about climate change and worked as a Climate Campaigner with the international advocacy organization Avaaz.