Justice News
About UnitingJustice Australia - for a world reconciled
UnitingJustice Australia is the justice unit of the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia, pursuing national matters of social and economic justice, human rights, peace and the environment. It sits within the mandate of Uniting Faith and Discipleship and works in collaboration with other Assembly agencies, Uniting Church synod justice staff around the country, and with other community and faith-based organisations and groups.
It engages in advocacy and education and works collaboratively to communicate the Church’s vision for a reconciled world. It provides resources for the Church as it considers its position on issues of national and international importance and public policy.
UnitingJustice Australia exists as an expression of the Uniting Church’s commitment to working toward a just and peaceful world. This commitment arises from the Christian belief that liberation from oppression and injustice is central to the incarnation of God through Jesus Christ.
Our Mission
The Uniting Church seeks to bring God’s vision of a reconciled world into the present, to reflect God’s love for everyone, work for justice and peace and follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ who taught what it means to love your neighbour and your enemy, called on his disciples to heal the sick and give to the poor, and who himself challenged the systems and structures of oppression in his society. In all of this, we are called to act with integrity, ensuring that our words and our deeds are aligned.
In 1977 the inaugural Assembly’s Statement to the Nation committed the Uniting Church to engage in public life as it sought to live out the gospel in the world:
A Christian responsibility to society has always been regarded as fundamental to the mission of the Church. In the Uniting Church our response to the Christian gospel will continue to involve us in social and national affairs.
This Statement, based in our deeply rooted understandings of the mission of God in the world and our call to discipleship, reflects a significant aspect of the Uniting Church ethos and identity:
We affirm our eagerness to uphold basic Christian values and principles, such as the importance of every human being, the need for integrity in public life, the proclamation of truth and justice, the rights for each citizen to participate in decision-making in the community, religious liberty and personal dignity, and a concern for the welfare of the whole human race.
Twenty years later, the Church invited all Australians to join us in building a just and sustainable nation. The 1997 Invitation to the Nation committed the Assembly to building a nation that responds to the disadvantaged and vulnerable; acts with generosity; struggles for equity and justice for all people; stands in solidarity with Indigenous Australians; and recognises the importance of all creation for future generations.
UnitingJustice advocates nationally on issues of national and international significance. Our work has included advocating for justice for refugees and asylum seekers; positive action to address climate change; peaceful solutions to terrorism and international conflict; international trade and industrial relations policies which support the most vulnerable people; active citizenship; and an end to violence, racism, discrimination and the abuse of human rights. Our work is broad ranging and responsive to contemporary social and political concerns, while setting agendas for reflection on these issues within the Church.
Our History
Uniting Faith and Justice
Written in 1998 by Rev Robert Stringer, this essay charts 21 years of the Uniting Church in Australia's work in social justice and human rights.
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...