GetUp!

GetUp!
Name	GetUp!
Formation	2005
Type	Non-profit political advocacy group
Headquarters	Australia
Region served	Australia
Leaders	Johan Doe (former National Director)

GetUp! GetUp! is an Australian progressive advocacy group founded in 2005, known for digital campaigning, grassroots organising and policy advocacy around environmental, social justice and democratic issues. It operates alongside Australian political parties, trade unions, environmental groups and community organisations to mobilise public support through online petitions, direct action and electoral engagement. Over two decades it has been associated with high-profile campaigns on climate change, refugees, indigenous rights and electoral reform, attracting both praise from advocacy networks and criticism from conservative parties and media outlets.

History

GetUp! was established in 2005 amidst debates sparked by the 2004 Australian federal election, drawing inspiration from international organisations such as MoveOn, Avaaz and 38 Degrees. Early founders included campaigners with experience in Australian Labor Party, Australian Greens, Amnesty International, World Wildlife Fund and student activism networks tied to National Union of Students (Australia). Initial campaigns targeted the policies of the Howard ministry and later engaged with disputes involving the Rudd government, Gillard government and Abbott government. During the 2010s it expanded operations in response to campaigns around the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference and debates following the Children Overboard affair. Key moments included coordinated actions around the 2013 federal election, high-profile climate mobilisations linked to 2014 United Nations Climate Change Conference outcomes, and campaign work during the 2019 and 2022 federal elections.

Organisation and Structure

GetUp! has been structured as a not-for-profit incorporated association with a national office, state teams and volunteer networks across metropolitan and regional centres, collaborating with organisations such as Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Council of Trade Unions, Human Rights Law Centre and community legal centres. Leadership has included national directors, campaign directors and a board of directors, interacting with legal advisers, communications teams and data analysts familiar with technologies promoted by groups like CivicTech, OpenAustralia Foundation and international digital advocacy practitioners from Change.org. Membership and supporter engagement rely on email lists, phone-banking, SMS outreach and social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Volunteer organisers and local chapters coordinate actions with allied groups such as GetUp Volunteers, community organisers, faith-based networks and student bodies at institutions like University of Sydney and Monash University.

Campaigns and Activities

GetUp!'s campaigns have spanned climate action, refugee and asylum seeker policy, Indigenous rights, marriage equality, anti-corruption reforms and public health advocacy. Notable campaign coalitions involved collaborations with Australian Marriage Equality, Maddocks Lawyers, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Doctors for the Environment Australia. Activities have included online petition drives, letter-writing campaigns to MPs in electorates such as Warringah, telephone outreach during federal contests like the 2016 Australian federal election, door-knocking in marginal seats, and organizing rallies alongside movements such as School Strike 4 Climate and Extinction Rebellion. GetUp! has also run targeted advertising on broadcast and digital channels during referendums and by-elections, intersecting with debates involving the High Court of Australia and parliamentary procedures in the Parliament of Australia.

Funding and Finances

Funding for GetUp! has come from a mix of small-donor grassroots contributions, membership donations and occasional larger gifts, with fundraising practices comparable to groups like Australian Progress and international counterparts such as MoveOn. Financial reporting has involved public summaries of income and expenditure, audits overseen by accounting firms and compliance with regulations administered by agencies like the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Debates about donor transparency have referenced practices in other civil society organisations including Australian Red Cross and WWF-Australia, and raised questions about disclosure similar to issues faced by political campaign groups in jurisdictions like the United States and United Kingdom.

Political Influence and Criticism

GetUp! has been influential in shaping public debate and electoral campaigning, credited by some commentators with mobilising progressive voters and aiding campaigns of candidates associated with Australian Greens and progressive independents. Critics from conservative parties such as the Liberal Party of Australia and National Party of Australia have accused the organisation of partisan activity, leading to parliamentary scrutiny and public debate in outlets aligned with Sky News Australia and other media. Academic analyses comparing influence cite studies from universities including Australian National University, University of Melbourne and think tanks like the Grattan Institute. Supporters argue its work strengthens civic participation, while detractors highlight concerns raised by commentators from outlets such as The Australian and policy analysts linked to Institute of Public Affairs.

Legal and Regulatory Issues

GetUp! has engaged with regulatory regimes governing political advocacy, electoral finance and charity law, interacting with bodies such as the Australian Electoral Commission, the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission and the Commonwealth Ombudsman on compliance matters. Legal controversies have included disputes over advertising authorisation, enrolment enrolment drives and the definition of partisan activity under statutes referencing electoral disclosure and third-party campaigner rules, similar to issues seen in litigation involving groups like GetUp Volunteers and cases adjudicated by the High Court of Australia or tribunals. Ongoing regulatory debates continue to shape the operational environment for advocacy organisations in Australia, especially during federal election periods and referendums.

Category:Political advocacy groups in Australia