Deadline looming to make your submission on proposed Truth and Justice Commission
The Bill is before a Senate Inquiry and you can make your voice heard until 20 September
August 28, 2024
Please note the deadline has been extended and submissions now close 20 September.
The deadline is looming for submissions to a current parliamentary inquiry into a Bill proposing a new federal truth and justice commission.
The Truth and Justice Commission Bill 2024 aims to set up a body that will make recommendations to Parliament and inquire into historic and ongoing injustices against First Peoples in Australia and their impact.
The Bill was introduced by Greens Senator Dorinda Cox in July this year, and was referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs for inquiry.
Since the defeated referendum on a Voice to Parliament last October, Senator Cox said a truth and justice commission had now become critical for national healing.
“These important processes of the truth and justice commission will allow us to formally record, teach and reinforce that we have strong and proud Indigenous peoples who were the first chapter of our nation’s story,” she said.
The Uniting Church Assembly, with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, has made its own submission in support of a Commission. This position is consistent with its commitment to the full implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. You can read the submission below.
Truth was one of the three key pillars of reform called for in the Statement, urging processes and structures to address the full extent of injustices experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and enable a shared understanding of Australian history and its ongoing impact.
The deadline has been extended and submissions now close 20 September. If you'd like to make a submission but you're not sure where to start, ANTAR has a great guide and a template you can use.
If you would like to speak to someone at the Assembly about your submission, please contact comms@nat.uca.org.au
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Read more Assembly news
Church responds to Bondi attack
Church responds to Bondi attack As the Uniting Church, we express our grief and call for solidarity and peaceThe Uniting Church in Australia expresses its deep sorrow following the attack at Bondi Beach, which NSW Police have identified as a terrorist act. The violence occurred while families and children were gathered to celebrate the start…
Bondi tragedy: Pastoral message from President Rev Suli
Bondi tragedy: Pastoral message from President President Rev Charissa Suli offers this pastoral mesage and prayer following the tragic events at Bondi Beach written by Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia This morning, we wake with heavy hearts following the tragic events at Bondi. As the Uniting Church in Australia,…
Walking the Path of Peace
Walking the Path of Peace When Emelia Haskey walks into the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok next month, she will carry with her the prayers, hopes and convictions of her Uniting Church community. Emelia has been selected to take part in the Fifth Global Peace Summit, an international gathering of around 400…
President's Christmas Message 2025
This Christmas season, President Rev Charissa Suli offers two messages for our community – because the incarnation meets us wherever we are. A Christmas Message of Light and Action In her main Christmas message, President Rev Charissa reminds us of the profound mystery at the heart of our faith: God chose to draw near, entering…
President's reflection: Threads of love across our outback
President’s Reflection: Threads of Love in Griffith and Across the Outback Rev Charissa Suli recently travelled to the NSW Riverina town of Griffith to see first-hand the launch of a new pilot progam for Frontier Services by Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia In late November I travelled to NSW…
WCC Beijing 30+ Consultation held in Indonesia
WCC Beijing 30+ Consultation held in Indonesia The World Council of Churches’ Beijing 30+ Consultation marked 30 years since the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action The World Council of Churches (WCC) concluded its Beijing 30+ Consultation on Sunday after three days of intensive dialogue, theological reflection and advocacy on gender justice. Held in Jakarta,…
Expressions of Interest: AFARC Committee Member
Expressions of Interest: Assembly Finance, Audit and Risk CommitteeExpression of Interest – Committee MemberAssembly Finance, Audit and Risk Committee (AFARC)Uniting Church in Australia (National Assembly)Initial three-year term AFARC is seeking an experienced governance professional to join the Committee for an initial three-year term. AFARC provides independent oversight of finance, audit and risk for the National…
Update from the Theology, Formation & Leadership Commission
Commission meets in person for first time It was yet another milestone moment for the Commission for Theology, Formation & Leadership written by Rev Dr Cathie Lambert, Chair for the Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership On 10–11 November the Commission for Theology, Formation and Leadership met for the first time in person in…