Current Letter Writing Actions

Church People Severely Harassed in the Philippines

Church members in the Philippines involved in the social justice mission of the Christian faith continue to face severe harassment and threat under the Duterte Administration. They are often falsely accused of being part of the armed communist opposition forces. This includes police planting guns and grenades at their homes to justify arrests.

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Preventing Australia being a haven for those involved in human rights abuses and grand corruption

In March 2021, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs presented their 425-page report following their investigation into family, domestic and sexual violence. The Committee made 88 recommendations. Help us advocate for a whole of society response to address domestic and sexual violence.

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Pathways to Permanency for Refugees on Temporary Visas

Both the TPV and SHEV temporary visas have no allowance for sponsoring family members. This means that people found to be refugees but only given temporary visas cannot bring their spouses orbchildren to live with them. Providing a clear and attainable pathway to a permanent visa and family reunion would greatly alleviate the mental distress they are now enduring and would help maximise the contributions they will be able to make to Australia.

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Transition to Renewable Energy under threat

The Commonwealth Government has taken steps to divert funding earmarked to support the development and uptake of renewable energy to multinational fossil fuel corporations. They have introduced the Australian Renewable Energy Agency Amendment (2020 – 2021 Budget Programs) Regulations 2021, requiring the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to fund some projects run by fossil fuel corporations. It makes no sense to divert funding from renewable energy development to carbon capture and storage projects for fossil fuel operations.

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Whistleblower Postcard Action

e-mail JIM@victas.uca.org.au with a request for this postcard, your address and the number of postcards you would like.

Help us urge the Commonwealth Government to urgently progress the reforms it agreed to in December 2020 due to the review of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 by Philip Moss. Critical reforms are needed to make whistleblowers feel safer in coming forward to expose corruption and wrongdoing. The processes for a whistleblower to access protection and make their disclosure of wrongdoing public need to be simplified.

Share the Covid-19 Vaccine

e-mail JIM@victas.uca.org.au with a request for this postcard, your address and the number of postcards you would like.

Help us to ask the Commonwealth Government to do much more to assist developing countries to gain access to vaccines. The May 2021 report by the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, established by the World Health Organisation, found that current global “vaccine distribution is blatantly unjust and not strategic.” They reported the pandemic had pushed between 115 and 125 million people into extreme poverty.

This Month's Resource Highlights

WCC prayers for peace in Israeli - Palestinian conflict
The World Council of Churches is following developments in Israel and Palestine with mounting alarm and profound grief at the rising toll of people killed and injured in the escalating violence. A liturgy with Prayers for Peace and Justice in the Israel-Palestine conflict has been developed.
Modern Slavery Flyer or Congregations
What is Modern Slavery? How do I find creditable products? Can I asset my risk own of contributing to Modern Slavery? A resource to help you become informed about Modern Slavery and what to do about it.
Climate Justice Resources (April 2021)
The latest list of climate justice resource for April 2021, including: community grants, resources for advocacy and initiatives to manage your own (and community) impact.
Statement from the Heart Flyer or Congregations
A new resource from the Uniting Church in Vic/Tas exploring the Statement from the Heart. As a group or on your own, learn about Voice.Treaty.Truth and what a pathway towards justice chosen by First Nations people could look be.
Public Good Flyer for Congregations
What does public good mean to you? Become involved in a new project setting a new national agenda on the public good, while connecting across organisations who work collaboratively where people and planet come first.

Our Vision for a Just Australia

The Uniting Church in Australia is committed to acting justly and compassionately in the world. We believe that our participation in God’s mission calls us toward the transformation that God desires for us all, marked by reconciliation, love, justice, peace, abundance and flourishing for all people and the whole earth. In this document the Uniting Church in Australia has articulated its vision for a just, compassionate and inclusive nation in this 2019 statement and resource.

A Just Recovery Post COVID-19

The Uniting Church in Australia has outlined a set of principles and key actions that will guide the way to a better future as Australia recovers from the corona virus pandemic. There is much we have learned through this pandemic about who we are as a nation, our vulnerabilities and our strengths. Drawing upon these learnings and the values articulated in our vision, we believe we have an opportunity to create a better future where all people and all creation can flourish.

Previous Resources

2021 Social Justice Calendar
The JIM Cluster’s 2021 Social Justice Calendar is now available, click to download.
Feedback on Justice and International Mission Cluster work areas
Each year the Justice and International Mission cluster is keen to get feedback from its supporters, that is you, about what issues you would like us to resource you to take action on. Please download and complete this form by ticking the box that indicates your level of support for the issues listed and return it to us via email or mail by 31^st January 2021
Climate Justice with and for children and youth in churches
Climate change affects every aspect of child rights. Only joint efforts at every level will enable us to bend the CO2 emissions curve and protect our planet for future generations. This toolkit provides resources for churches, church-run schools, and summer camps to support intergenerational climate and environmental justice and promote care for children by stopping further global warming. All churches are encouraged to promote education and action to address climate change, reduce CO2 emissions, and protect the environment in their activities for and with children and youth.
Synod Taskforce on Climate Change Action
The JIM Cluster is seeking expressions of interest from people who would like to be part of a Taskforce on Climate Change Action. The purpose of the Taskforce is to identify, encourage and support implementation of measures across the Synod, including congregations, to reduce the Synod’s greenhouse gas emissions.
To lodge an expression of interest, please e-mail, phone or text Mark Zirnsak, Senior Social Justice Advocate on 0409 166 915 or mark.zirnsak@victas.uca.org.au Please lodge your expression of interest by Friday 30 October.