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
Marking 40 years of multicultural Church declaration
Save the date: 40 years of multicultural Church declaration In 2025 the Uniting Church will mark 40 years since its declaration: ‘The Uniting Church is a multicultural Church’. The Assembly invites UCA communities to save 15 June for celebrations’We are a multicultural Church’ 40 years on Save the dates: 10-15 June 2025 In 1985, during…
Lament in Lent for our native forests
lament in lent: on country, with country, for country Aunty Alison Overeem and Rev Alex Sangster invite the Uniting Church community to show solidarity with creation through the lament in lent vigil, being held on country in Tasmania This Lent, come and stand with mob on Country to support our ancient forests! Proud Palawa woman…
Appeal launched in wake of Alfred
President launches national appeal for disaster relief Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has launched an appeal through the National Disaster Relief Fund in support of communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has today launched a national appeal to support disaster recovery in communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.…
Prayers ahead of Cyclone Alfred
Prayers rising for Queensland and NSW ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred President Rev Charissa Suli has shared this message and prayer as Tropical Cyclone Alfred intensifies as it makes for landRev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, has shared this message and prayer with the Church as communities in south east Queensland…
Position available: Act2 Project Lead
Position Available: Act2 Project Lead Apply your project and change management skills, interpersonal gifts, and understanding of the Uniting Church in Australia to a new phase of the national Act2 ProjectAct2 Project Lead Uniting Church in Australia Assembly The Role The Uniting Church in Australia is living through a time of change, opportunity and challenge.…
Uniting Church Assembly to leave X
Uniting Church Assembly to leave X and move to Bluesky The move is a response to established concerns about safety and ethics in the governance of the platform now owned by Elon Muskwritten by Bethany Broadstock, Assembly National Manager – Media and Communications For many years, Twitter (now X) enabled the Assembly of the Uniting…
President's Letter to Episcopal Bishop of Washington
“We stand with you in unwavering solidarity” President Rev Charissa Suli has written a letter of solidarity and support to Rt Rev Dr Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington President of the Uniting Church in Australia Rev Charissa Suli has written a letter of solidarity and support to the Right Rev Dr Mariann Budde,…
A reflection on the Australian Academy of Liturgy Conference
“Paying attention to how we worship is vital for the life of the Church” Advocate of the Assembly Transforming Worship Circle, Matthew Julius, reflects on the recent national conference of the Australian Academy of Liturgy written by Matthew Julius, Advocate of the Assembly Transforming Worship Circle I was recently in Brisbane for the Australian Academy…