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
President calls on Government to support nuclear disarmament
Uniting Church President calls on the Government to support nuclear disarmament Ahead of the 80th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, President Rev Charissa Suli has written urging the Australian Government to urgently sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear WeaponsOn 6 and 9 August 2025, the world will commemorate 80…
New online store for official UCA resources
A new online store for printed Uniting Church resources Following the closure of MediaCom Education in 2024, official printed Uniting Church resources, materials and books can now be found on the online store of printer and publisher, WayzgooseFor over 40 years, MediaCom Education served the church in Australia and New Zealand as publisher and producer…
Online prayer for peace on the Korean Peninsula
Online prayer for peace on the Korean Peninsula Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli will be hosting an online time of prayer in honour of the World Council of Churches Sunday of Prayer for the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula “God,Lift us from despair.Grant us the strength to answer your callto live…
Position Available: EO - Commission for Governance, Resourcing and Administration
Position Available: Executive Officer – Commission for Governance, Resourcing and Administration Apply your leadership skills, strategic thinking and understanding of the Uniting Church in Australia to a new phase of the national Act2 ProjectExecutive Officer – Commission for Governance, Resourcing and Administration Uniting Church in Australia Assembly PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: The Act2 Project is…
Historic first gathering for new National Commission
Historic first gathering for New National Commission The Assembly’s new Commission for Governance, Resourcing and Administration met for the first time, beginning a vital journey of renewal, connection, and faithful stewardship across the life of the Church by Michelle Farrall, Interim Executive Officer of the Commission for Governance, Resourcing and Administration The Uniting Church in…
The new worship album from Uniting Creative
New music from Uniting Creative The vibrant new worship album Witness is a call to attentive presence, authentic voice and embodied actionUniting Creative in the Synod of NSW/ACT has released its highly anticipated new worship album Witness – a bold, soul-stirring collection of original songs that calls the Church into deeper relationship with Jesus, as…
uHub: a new digital home for UCA resources
A refreshed home for UCA resourcesThe Uniting Church Assembly is excited to introduce you to uHub – the refreshed digital home for the treasures of our Church, with a new name. Previously known as Illuminate, this central platform brings together Assembly resolutions, justice and theology statements, worship and liturgical resources, governance documents, historical materials, and…
Executive Officers appointed to new National Commissions
Executive Officers appointed to new National Commissions The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly is pleased to announce the appointment of key personnel for the two new Uniting Church National CommissionsThe Uniting Church in Australia Assembly is pleased to announce the appointment of two key personnel to the work of the new National Commissions. Established by…