New Australian Marriage Equality board members elected

AUSTRALIAN Marriage Equality has appointed three new board members in a bid to strengthen the organisation for upcoming challenges.

OutcomeAustralia and Sharelife director Janine Middleton has become co-chair of the organisation, alongside AME’s former national director and current Sydney state independent MP Alex Greenwich. 

Meanwhile, former Mardi Gras treasurer Phil Kershaw has been appointed in the same position but for AME, while lawyer Pauline Harbaugh joins as secretary.

AME national director Rodney Croome believes the new appointments will bring experience and value to the campaign for marriage equality.

“Organisationally, AME is stronger than ever, and ready for the challenge of achieving a government free vote and getting marriage equality through,” he said in a statement.

Middleton recently returned to Australia after two decades overseas in the financial services industry, and is passionate about marriage equality being a human rights issue.

Kershaw is a chartered accountant who has worked in senior positions in the business and not-for-profit sectors, and was responsible for obtaining Donor Gift Recipient status for Mardi Gras Arts.

Harbaugh has worked as a lawyer across federal, state and local governments, and has conducted research into notions of marriage equality overseas.

The new appointments come as the marriage equality campaign heats up again ahead of a likely free vote on the issue later this year.