Dr Marion Byrne is our Head of Advocacy, Media and Communications at NESA. She leads our advocacy work enabling NESA to strongly advocate for members’ interests, and ensure they are represented to government. She is also responsible for ensuring members are updated regularly on our advocacy, government trends, reports and announcements that impact members’ work.

Prior to commencing with NESA in February 2024, Marion worked for yourtown, one of Australia’s largest youth service providers as Head of Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy, where she was also responsible for media. She is also currently on the national service systems working group supporting the development of the Australian Government’s new National Suicide Prevention Strategy.

Over the last 14 years, Marion has developed extensive policy, advocacy and research experience working with the Queensland Government and the not-for-profit sector, including in senior leadership positions. She has extensive experience across the employment services, youth justice, child protection, mental health, disability, guardianship, elder abuse, domestic and family violence, human rights, and indigenous justice, law and policy portfolios.

Marion was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (Law) from QUT in 2020 following her research concerning recognition of the human right to supported decision-making in mental health laws. She has a Master of Laws, and Bachelor of Arts from Sydney University, a Diploma of Law, and is admitted as a Solicitor in the NSW Supreme Court, and in England and Wales. She also has a Master of Divinity from Trinity International University, USA.