Justice News
UnitingJustice e-news 20 July 2010
Uniting Church calls for an election campaign with 'vision'
Media release, 20 July 2010
The Uniting Church in Australia has called on politicians running for election to share their vision for Australia and not to limit their discussions to cheap populism and slogans.
President of the Uniting Church, Rev. Alistair Macrae believes that Australians are eager to hear messages of hope for the future and has expressed his disappointment at the tone and quality of political debate thus far.
Don't forget - get your Federal Election Resources today!
We've had an excellent response so far to our Federal Election Resources - Building an Economy for Life: Your Faith, Your Vote, Your Voice.
For more information on the resources, go to the Assembly's election webpage http://assembly.uca.org.au/election2010
If you haven't yet ordered a copy for yourself, contact the National Assembly office (02 8267 4300 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or simply reply to this email. All resources come to you free of charge, and have been printed on 'carbon neutral' paper.
UCA responds to asylum seeker policy announcements
In the wake of policy announcements from both the Government and Opposition in relation to asylum seekers and border security, the National Assembly issued this media release:
'The Uniting Church in Australia believes that there is little reason to be anxious about boat arrivals and more reason to be anxious about the continuing use of traumatised people to score political points in an election year.'
Improving the protection of human rights in Australia
UnitingJustice recently made a submission on proposed legislation, currently the subject of a Senate inquiry, which is designed to increase the role of the Parliament in examining legislation for potential human right problems.
The Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010, if passed by the Parliament, will establish a Parliamentary Joint Committe on Human Rights, which will examine new and existing legislation for compatibility with human rights and inquire into general human rights issues, and require that each new Bill introduced to the Parliament be accompanied by a 'statement of compatibility' which assesses whether that Bill is compatible with human rights.
Strengthening the role of the Federal Parliament in examining and preventing violations of human rights in Australia's laws was a key recommendation from the report of the National Human Rights Consultation.
Click here to read our submission
Elenie's new blog!
Rev. Elenie Poulos, our National Director, is now in the blogosphere! She will be writing on public policy and justice issues, and also anything else that takes her fancy.
You can find her blog, The Little Rev Goes Blogging, at http://thelittlerev.wordpress.com/
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...