About

Founding story

Allies for a Strong Australia began with a simple, uncomfortable observation:

Antisemitism in this country had reached levels unseen in living memory, and the values that hold a free society together were being tested in ways most Australians never expected to see.

We began as Never Again Is Now

A grassroots movement that mobilised Australians to stand against antisemitism and to uphold our shared Judaeo-Christian heritage. Rallies were held in every major capital. A national volunteer network was built. And something became unmistakably clear: concern about antisemitism reaches well beyond the Jewish community.

Allies for a Strong Australia is the next step

It is an invitation to every Australian - of every faith and of none, of every background, of every political persuasion — to step forward. Because the challenges we face are not the burden of any single community. They belong to the nation.

This cause is bigger than any one community. It belongs to all of us.

Our Chapters

Chapters are the engine room of our movement. Volunteer-led and locally driven, they bring Australians together — in every major capital and increasingly in our regions — to meet, organise and stand as Allies where they live. Our chapter network now spans every Australian state, and continues to grow.

NSW · VIC · QLD · WA · SA · TAS

Find a chapter near you

What we exist to do

Allies for a Strong Australia exists to confront antisemitism, strengthen social cohesion, and defend the democratic values every Australian depends on.

We work across three fronts

Education We equip Australians with the facts, language and confidence to recognise and respond to antisemitism and extremism wherever they appear — in our schools, on our streets, and online.

Advocacy We engage with government, institutions and the media to secure meaningful action. That includes our full support for the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, and our commitment to helping ordinary Australians contribute to it.

Mobilisation We build a broad, cross-faith, cross-cultural alliance of Australians who are ready to stand up, speak out, and show up for one another.

 

We are practical, not partisan.
We are urgent, not alarmist.
We are inclusive, not tribal.
And we are Australian, first and always.

What we stand for and what we don't

Allies for a Strong Australia is a non-denominational, non-partisan civic movement. We speak in the language of Australian values and Judaeo-Christian heritage, not imported culture-war terminology. We are serious, measured, and solution-oriented.

 

We Stand For

• A strong Australia: Confident in its values, united in its diversity, and serious about the safety and dignity of every citizen. 
  
• A clear line against antisemitism: In our schools, on our streets, online and in public life. Without hesitation, and without qualification.
  
• Social cohesion as a national priority: Treated with the seriousness of a national security issue, because that is what it is.
  
• Active defence of democratic values: The rule of law, free speech within the law, equal citizenship, and the freedom to live without fear.
  
• Every Australian's right to a fair go: No community should have to carry this burden alone; no Australian should feel unsafe because of who they are.

We Are Not

• A single-issue lobby group: Antisemitism is the canary in the coal mine. The deeper question is the health of our democracy.
  
• Exclusively Jewish, or exclusively Christian: Our founding communities still matter. But this movement belongs to every Australian.
  
• A political party, or a front for one: We do not endorse candidates. We engage every side of politics on our four messaging pillars.
  
• Shrill: We will be heard, but we will not shout.

Leadership

Allies for a Strong Australia is led by a small executive team and governed by the board of our parent entity, Never Again Is Now Ltd. We are in the process of strengthening our board with new members drawn from a broad cross-section of Australian civic, business, academic, legal and faith communities. More appointments will be announced in the coming months.

On the ground, the movement is led by our State Directors, who build and lead Allies in their states and work closely with local chapters and the executive team. Melanie ([email protected]) serves as our Western Australian State Director, Jennifer ([email protected]) as our Queensland State Director and Dean ([email protected]) as our Victorian State Director, with further appointments underway as our state footprint continues to grow. Rachel ([email protected]) is our Communications Manager engaging and broadening our community, and amplifying our impact.

Mark Leach Co-Founder and CEO Mark Leach as CEO and co-founder of Allies for a Strong Australia (and Never Again Is Now), is the driving force behind a grassroots civic movement that has mobilised Australians across every major capital in defense of social cohesion, democratic values, and a confident, united Australia.

Michelle Zwar Co-Founder and COO Michelle Zwar is the Chief Operating Officer of Allies for a Strong Australia (and Never Again is Now), leading the day-to-day operations of the movement and translating strategy into delivery.

Board and advisers

Our board is the governance body of Never Again Is Now Ltd, the registered charity behind Allies. New appointments are being progressed in 2026 to broaden the representation of our governance. Allies also draws on specialist advisers in strategy, media, research and legal matters.