Justice News
An Australian Human Rights Act
The federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, has released the report from the National Human Rights Consultation.
The National Human Rights Consultation was conducted by an independent committee, which received over 35000 written submissions and hosted 66 roundtables in 52 locations throughout metropolitan, regional and rural Australia.
The report recommends that Australia should enact a Human Rights Act, with further key recommendations including the development of a national human rights education plan, auditing of all legislation, policies and practices to ensure they comply with human rights, and the establishment of a Joint Committe on Human Rights to review all legislation for compliance with human rights. The report from the consultation is available here.
The Uniting Church in Australia believes that one key avenue for the protection of human rights in Australia is the implementation of an Australian Human Rights Act. In March 2008, the Uniting Church Assembly Standing Committee resolved to support a national Human Rights Act for Australia.
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In response to the Christian call to stand with people who are marginalised, poor and oppressed we have a responsibility to contribute to the building of societies in which all people are valued and respected. The Uniting Church seeks for each person the conditions that enable them to thrive and to reach their full potential.
In the context of public policy and international humanitarian affairs, we can contribute by supporting the development of policy and legislation which upholds the rights of all people to participate in the community and public life, be treated with respect and accorded dignity without discrimination. Support for an instrument that seeks to implement Australia’s international human rights commitments and protect human rights in Australia is entirely consistent with the Uniting Church’s strong commitment to human rights.
UnitingJustice Australia prepared a submission on behalf of the National Assembly of the Uniting Church to the National Human Rights Consultation.
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Resources
Following on from the release of the report from the National Human Rights Consultation, UnitingJustice Australia has produced a briefing paper which outlines the current state of play, explains the Uniting Church's support for a Human Rights Act and addresses some common concerns about a Human Rights Act.
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UnitingJustice Australia produced a toolkit to enable individuals and groups within the Uniting Church in Australia to participate in the National Consultation. The kit provides information on how to get involved and about how human rights apply to our daily lives as individuals and as a society. It also includes information about the possible development of national human rights legislation and why the Uniting Church National Assembly believes it to be an important way of better protecting human rights in Australia, especially for those who are most vulnerable in our society.
This toolkit is available in Word or PDF form.
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Call to action: an Australian Human Rights Act
November 2009
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Fact Sheet: an Australian Human Rights Act
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The Uniting Church and an Australian Human Rights Act
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Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and an Australian Human Rights Act
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A Human Rights Act and the Separation of Powers in Australia
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Why Christians Care About Human Rights
Rev. Elenie Poulos, Speech at University of the Third Age Human Rights Forum
St. Ives Uniting Church, 20 November 2008
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Media and opinion
Speech by Rev. Alistair Macrae, President of the Uniting Church in Australia at the Human Rights Act Parliamentary Forum
Parliament House, Canberra
25 November 2009
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Not all Christians think alike on human rights
24 November 2009
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Surprise! Not all Christians think the same way about human rights
Rev. Elenie Poulos, National Director, UnitingJustice Australia
27 October 2009
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We support a Human Rights Act
Rev. Alistair Macrae, President, Uniting Church in Australia
23 October 2009
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Uniting Church welcomes human rights report
8 October 2009
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Where is God?
Uniting Church National Assembly, 10 December 2008
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Time to write our rights
Australian Human Rights Group, 10 December 2008
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Links
The National Human Rights Consultation
On this website you can learn about the Consultation and the Consultation Committee, register to attend a Community Roundtable session, learn about human rights in Australia, and share your views by making a submission online.
Australian Human Rights Commission Let's Talk About Rights page
The Australian Human Rights Commission will play an active role in the national Consultation. On their website you can find out all about human rights in Australia, the ways you can contribute to the Consultation, get information on seminars and workshops and sign up for the Commissions Consultation updates.
The Australian Human Rights Group
The Australian Human Rights Group is a network of more than 60 organisations and individuals from across Australia, committed to the better protection of human rights.
A Human Rights Act for Australia campaign
This campaign was launched in response to growing concern in the community about the inability of the law to protect fundamental human rights. On this website you can find out all about the campaign, and get informed about a human rights act.
Human Rights Law Resource Centre
On the Human Rights Law Resource Centre website you can access numerous resources including fact sheets and briefing papers on human rights in Australia.
Amnesty International Australia
Learn about human rights in Australia, and the need for a Human Rights Act. You can also use their quick and easy-to-use online form to make a submission to the Consultation.
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...