Progressive political campaigning outfit GetUp has hired former journalist David Sharaz to a senior role, as it rebuilds organisational strength and pledges to take the fight up to conservative groups including Advance.

Sharaz – most recently a public relations executive – is married to former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who was at the centre of the high profile rape case which has rocked federal politics since 2021.

He will lead GetUp’s campaign work on media accountability, misinformation and political operations, drawing on the experience of overseas organisations including the UK-based media reform campaign, Hacked Off.

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GetUp said it was expanding its workforce and financial position after a period of consolidation. The organisation’s profile has dipped in recent years, amid staff turnover, changes of government in Canberra and the emergence of new players, including Advance.

GetUp is understood to have a growing membership base and war chest of more than $1m.

Interim co-chief executive Paul Ferris said Sharaz’s appointment reflected a changing political environment in Australia.

“Rupert Murdoch and his billionaire media mates have used their outlets as weapons, pursuing vendettas and distorting politics in this country,” Ferris said.

“We can’t keep allowing that level of power to operate without scrutiny.”

He warned far-right groups were becoming better organised, better funded and were harnessing traditional media and social platforms to distort politics.

“The democratic threat is real and responding to it requires serious, experienced campaign infrastructure.

“GetUp members see and understand this threat, and with their support we’ve rebuilt capacity, strengthened our financial position and are investing again in our movement people because the stakes are too high not to.”

Sharaz told Guardian Australia the organisation plans to expand its campaigning and communications work in the lead-up to the next federal election, due in early 2028, with a focus on combating far-right groups and pushing the Albanese government for progressive policy outcomes.

“When people feel isolated, ignored, and disenfranchised, they are pushed toward the political fringes, as recent polling shows,” he said.

“The lesson is clear: people need to see their concerns taken seriously and reflected in our political discourse.”

Coalition staffer Bruce Lehrmann was charged with raping Higgins at Parliament House and pleaded not guilty, but a criminal trial on those allegations was abandoned after juror misconduct. Another trial did not proceed because of concerns about Higgins’ welfare.

The federal court later found that on the civil burden of proof – the balance of probability – that Lehrmann raped Higgins. Lehrmann is seeking to overturn the ruling in a high court challenge.

Lehrmann was directed to pay $2m in damages after his initial defamation loss, and is required to foot the bill for the legal costs of his opponents during his unsuccessful appeal.

Higgins and Sharaz were both bankrupted in defamation proceedings brought by her former boss, Linda Reynolds, who was defence minister from 2019 until 2021.