Justice News
Indigenous Justice
The Uniting Church hopes for a nation which acknowledges the rights of Indigenous Australians as the first people of this land, respects the land on which we live, and is commited to empowering Indigenous people to take control of their own lives and destinies.
Indigenous communities, both remote and urban, experience heightened levels of disadvantage. Indigenous Australians have worse health, education and employment outcomes across the board than the non-Indigenous population. Justice for Indigenous people will depend on policies which ensure resourcing in areas of health, housing, education, employment and welfare support.
At its 7th Assembly, the Uniting Church formally entered into a relationship of Covenant with its Indigenous members, recognising and repenting for the Church's complicity in the injustices perpetrated on Australia's Indigenous community, and pledging to move forward with a shared future. Congress' generous response to this statement, among other messages, called upon the broader Church to take up the mission of reconciliation.
The ongoing and continually renewing nature of the Covenant calls the Uniting Church to continually act to remove the systems and structures of discrimination and oppression in Australia.
What's new
UCA leaders join the call for Aboriginal rights in the Northern Territory
Leaders from the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, Rev Ken Sumner and Rev Shayne Blackman, and the President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Alistair Macrae, have added their signature to a statement from prominent Australians urging a new approach to the policies of the Northern Territory Intervention which secure, rather than violate, the rights of Australia's Indigenous people. Click here to read more
Uniting Church says constitutional change challenging but rewarding - media release 9 November 2010
The Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) of the Uniting Church has congratulated the Australian Government on its announcement of a referendum on the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution.
The revised preamble to the Uniting Church in Australia constitution
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...