Susan Cochrane is the National Policy Manager of Relationships Australia. Following admission to practise as a solicitor, she worked briefly in private legal practice in Brisbane before moving to Canberra. She worked for almost two decades across a variety of legal policy roles in the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, and then as senior ministerial advisor to the then Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis KC. As National Policy Manager, she advocates for policies, programmes and services to support all Australians to create and maintain safe and respectful relationships.
Relationships Australia is a leading not-for-profit provider that, for more than 75 years, has supported individuals, couples, families and communities to have safe and respectful relationships across the lifecourse. We deliver services through a network of over 100 service locations across Australia. Our work is informed by a commitment to human rights and and our knowledge of the crucial role of relationships in protecting and enhancing mental health and well-being across the lifecourse. As a community-based organisation with no religious affiliations, our services are for all members of the community, regardless of religious beliefs, age, gender, sexual orientation, cultural background or economic circumstances.