Abolition of the Death Penalty

In October 2015 UnitingJustice made a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s inquiry into appropriate ways forward for Australia’s advocacy for abolition of the death penalty. In November 2015, we appeared before the Committee in a public hearing. Now the Committee has just published its report A world without the death penalty. The recommendations in the report had the cross-party support of all the Committee members. Our submission was cited in the report a number of times and many of our recommendations are reflected in the recommendation of the Committee. We will continue to advocate for the legislative changes recommended in our submission and the Committee’s report so that Australia’s advocacy for abolition of the death penalty abroad. 

A Flourishing Society: Your Faith, Your Voice, Your Vote

The Assembly resource for the Federal Election is coming soon! A Flourishing Society: Your Faith, Your Voice, Your Vote invites you to consider the values which underpin the policies of the political parties and candidates who are asking us to give them the responsibility of national leadership. The invitation is to consider your vote in the 2016 Federal Election in terms of what we need to do, as individuals and as a nation, to ensure a flourishing society – one that is focussed on the good of all people and the planet, now and into the future. The resource will include a downloadable booklet covering many important issues, a series of Hot Issues briefs designed to help you engage with your local candidates and a toolkit with guides on how to holding an election forum and write to and visit the candidates in your electorate. In his message which will appear in the booklet, Uniting Church President Stuart McMillan writes:

"The Uniting Church has, since its beginning, sought to engage constructively in national affairs. We hear God’s call on us as a fellowship of reconciliation and as individuals to stand against injustice, greed and prejudice and work for a society marked by justice, peace and hope. I would encourage you, during the course of the election campaign and through your vote to make known what matters most, enabling us together to grow a flourishing society".