Justice News
UnitingJustice e-news 20 April 2010
No more land of the ‘fair go’ for asylum seekers
The Uniting Church in Australia has condemned the Australian Government’s decision to house Afghan and Sri Lankan asylum seekers in the old Curtin detention centre.
Rev. Alistair Macrae, President of the Uniting Church said, “The decision to re-open Curtin detention facility is of grave concern. Detaining people indefinitely in the middle of the desert is inconsistent with a humane approach to the treatment of asylum seekers.
Uniting Church condemns suspension of Afghan, Sri Lankan visas
President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev. Alistair Macrae has condemned the announcement today by Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and Immigration Minister Chris Evans that Australia has suspended the processing of all protection applications from Sri Lankan and Afghan asylum seekers.
Rev. Macrae said, “the Government has broken its promises to uphold the rights of asylum seekers by returning to what is in essence a form of indefinite, mandatory detention.
Get involved
We urge Uniting Church members to write respectfully to your local member to voice your concerns in relation to these policy changes. Contact details for Federal MPs can be found at http://aph.gov.au/house/members/mi-elctr.asp
You may also like to write to the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Evans. Contact details are:
The Hon Kevin Rudd MP
Prime Minister
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Senator the Hon Chris Evans
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Christmas Island chaplaincy: a light in the darkness
Christmas Island is a tiny speck in the Indian Ocean, yet it will seem vast compared to some of the tight spaces Rev Christine Senini worked in. And she won’t have to sleep in a bunk bed.
The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev. Alistair Macrae has added his name to the list of prominent Australians calling for reform to our asylum seeker policies. UnitingJustice has continually advocated for a more compassionate approach to these vulnerable members of our society.
UnitingJustice and the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly has joined the chorus of voices calling for Constitutional recognition of the unique contribution that First Peoples have made to this country. Amendments to the Australian Constitution should also include removal of racist and discriminatory language and clauses. The open letter was accompanied by a submission to the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition made by UnitingJustice.
UJA Reference Committee member, Professor John Langmore, discusses the political momentum behind and the public benefits of introducing a financial transactions tax.
Rethink Refugees - watch UJA National Director, Rev. Elenie Poulos, reflecting on her work in refugee advocacy as part of Amnesty's information campaign
Preamble posters and Covenanting resources
Download or print your own here.
Position Vacant: Senior Media Officer
The Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia seeks to appoint an experienced media professional to the role of Senior Media Officer. Read more...
Churches solid on poker machine reform
The major Christian churches in Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to the Government’s proposed poker machine reform this morning in the face of Catholic priest Father Chris Riley’s apparent support for the inaccurate, well-funded industry campaign. Read more...