The Australian marriage equality campaign has been reinvigorated with the recruitment of high-profile political campaigner, organiser and strategist, Erin McCallum (photo below).
The move comes as AME develops plans to win majority support in parliament in the lead up to the next election, and to win a plebiscite if one is held.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, welcomed Erin McCallum saying she brings immense experience as a digital campaigner, grass roots organiser and political strategist to her new role as AME campaign director.
“Erin’s successful advocacy and communications work in the US and UK, as well as her leadership of high profile political and corporate campaigns during her time at Get Up!, puts her in an excellent position to contribute key skills and experience to achieving marriage equality.
“Our pre-election goal is to achieve a clear-cut majority in parliament, so regardless of whichever party wins government we will have the numbers to pass reform”
“We are now just eights votes away in the Lower House, and have a slim majority in the Senate. The Coalition has said members won’t be bound in the next parliament, and the upcoming election provides the platform for a nationwide campaign to win the remaining votes needed for marriage equality to pass”
“Erin’s role will be to help develop and implement the nationwide campaign that will achieve that goal.”
“We are currently working with researchers and strategists across the political spectrum to identify the key seats we will work in, and the key messages and grass roots supporters we will work with.”
Erin McCallum said,
“It’s shameful that same-sex couples are still denied the opportunity to marry in Australia. I look forward to working with the talented and dedicated team at AME to engage as many communities as possible to achieve reform.”
“As someone who is newly engaged to the man I love, I am now even more acutely aware of the dignity, joy and basic human rights denied to so many Australians. It will strip some of the joy away from our wedding knowing my fiance and I are permitted to celebrate our love through marriage with our family and friends while people I care about are denied the same right.”
Mr Croome said the campaign resources, infrastructure and volunteer base that will be developed in the lead up to the election will be the foundation for a national campaign in favour of marriage equality should a plebiscite be held after the election.
“We would prefer marriage equality resolved in parliament as soon as possible, but if there has to be a plebiscite we are confident Australians will vote ‘yes’ for fairness and inclusion.”
Erin previously worked as the Campaigns Chief of Staff and then Political Director with Get Up, and has worked on national election efforts in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. She was recruited for a senior position with a US presidential campaign before agreeing to bring her considerable experience and knowledge to bear on achieving marriage equality in Australia.
For further information contact Erin McCallum 0488 006 660 or Rodney Croome 0409 010 668
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 12 October 2015
