UnitingJustice Australia is pleased to have the opportunity to continue our involvement in the Australian Government’s engagement with the Universal Periodic Review process and commend the Government on its willingness and efforts to engage with the NGO sector throughout this process.

UnitingJustice has submitted to two parliamentary bills on public scrutiny and welcome the progress Australia has made on a Human Rights Framework.

UnitingJustice believes that the proposed amendments to the Migration Act demonstrate a flagrant disregard of the facts around people smuggling and its prevention. UnitingJustice urges the Government to enact legislation that is consistent with its obligations under international and domestic laws. 

In its submission to the inquiry into the Mineral Resource Rent Tax Bills 2011, UnitingJustice recommended an increased tax on mining corporations, and more consideration of the rights of Indigenous Australians which it does not believe are being adequately recognised or safeguarded through this legislation.

The National Director of UnitingJustice wrote to the committee members of the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs opposing the transfer of asylum seekers to Malaysia. The Uniting Church does not believe it is appropriate to send asylum seekers to other countries, particularly countries where their safety cannot be guaranteed. 

The Uniting and Aboriginal Islander Christian Congress and the Assembly submission to the Expert Panel on Indigenous Constitutional Recognition calls for changes to the Constitution which recognise the prior place of First Peoples and repeal the existing racist provisions. 

In its submission, UnitingJustice welcomes the Government’s Clean Energy Future Legislation, particularly the greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 80% by 2050. A strong clean energy plan is crucial to begin Australia’s transformation to a low-carbon economy and allow Australia to act with credibility in the continuing international climate change negotiations.

The Uniting Church in Australia submission to the Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Immigration Detention Network reiterates the Church’s call to Government to the end arbitrary, indefinite and mandatory detention of asylum seekers. It recommends a time limit on detention for health, security and identity checks and access to settlement support and services while people wait in the community for their protection claims to be assessed.

In this submission, the Uniting Church comments on Australia's Humanitarian Program, and outlines the key principles that should underpin Australia's policy in this area.

The National Director for UnitingJustice wrote to the Committee members of the Inquiry into the Migration Amendment Bill 2011 expressing concerns about proposed changes which could see the commitment of a minor offence in detention prevent a refugee from being granted protection.