The National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia is delighted to welcome Hannah Jackson as Director, Advocacy & Justice.
Hannah brings to the role almost two decades of experience across advocacy, public policy, communications and government affairs, alongside a lifelong commitment to the Uniting Church.
Throughout her career she has sought to build coalitions, shape public debate and amplify the voices of people whose lived experience should inform public policy.
Advocacy Grounded in Experience
Hannah joins the Assembly from Diabetes Australia, where she served as Group Executive, External Affairs. During her time there she significantly advanced the organisation’s advocacy agenda, strengthened its national profile and helped shape its strategic direction. Her work brought together key stakeholders, health experts and people living with diabetes to advocate for better outcomes for Australians.
Before that, Hannah served as a Chief of Staff in the Queensland Government, leading policy development, communications and stakeholder engagement across portfolios including housing and the environment.
Reflecting on the journey that has brought her to the Assembly, Hannah sees a clear thread running through her career.
“For almost 20 years I have worked in roles where I can build coalitions, shape public debate and highlight important social justice issues.”
Advocacy as Discipleship
For Hannah, advocacy is about much more than influencing decision-makers. It is about creating opportunities for people of faith to live out the Gospel through action.
“I am passionate about advocacy that is informed by lived experience,” she says.
“In this new role I am looking forward to creating pathways for people to engage in advocacy as part of their own discipleship journey. I’m excited to see how God can use our collective work as a prophetic witness to bring about important change.”
That vision closely reflects the Assembly’s understanding of advocacy as an expression of Christian discipleship in listening deeply and speaking faithfully into the issues shaping Australia’s future.
Deep Roots in the Uniting Church
While Hannah brings significant professional experience, she also comes to the role with longstanding involvement in the life of the Church.
A lifelong member of the Uniting Church, Hannah has previously served on the UnitingWorld National Committee, has been a member of her local church council for the past ten years and is a lay preacher.
“I’m excited to bring to this role both professional expertise and a deep commitment to the mission of the Uniting Church in Australia,” she says.
Those experiences have shaped both her faith and her understanding of the Church’s calling to serve the world with hope, courage and love.
Looking Ahead
Hannah joins the Assembly as the Church continues to engage with national conversations around justice, reconciliation, creation care and the wellbeing of communities across Australia.
As Director, Advocacy & Justice she will help strengthen the Assembly’s advocacy ministry, work collaboratively across the Church and encourage more members to see advocacy not simply as the work of specialists, but as an expression of faithful discipleship.
The Assembly looks forward to welcoming Hannah and to the wisdom, leadership and vision she will bring as the Church continues to bear witness to God’s justice, hope and transforming love in the world.
Hannah will commence in the role in late September.