Submission to Review of ASIO Special Powers (Div 3, Part III of ASIO Act 1979) (21.3 kb)
This Act forces people to be dishonest to their own family. It is likely such actions could strain family relationships and lead to loss of employment for unexplained absence without leave.

 Summary Evaluation of the Anti-Terorism Bill (No.2) 2005 and Amendments Won by Civil Society Advocacy (50.6 kb)
Some improvements have been won, and the churches played a small but important part in these ... the Bill still represents a troubling trend of western governments (and citizens themselves) being far too willing to sacrifice human rights won over the last few centuries in the name of defending ourselves from terrorism.

 HicksEventInvite (592.0 kb)

 NSWSynodresponsetoterrorism.PDF (11.7 kb)
That the Synod (i) affirm that in the present crisis the Christian Gospel offers comfort, guidance and challenge, and in particular: (a) affirm that God passionately cares for all those who are the victims of terrorism, violence, and injustice (b) affirm that Jesus Christ works always and everywhere for peace with justice, and calls not only the church but all humankind to share in that work.

 Submission to Inquiry into Scrutiny of Police Counter-Terrorism and Other Powers (31.5 kb)
To grant police immunity under all circumstances is to remove the accountability of the police to the people they are charged to protect. In the potential context of illegal or even accidental misuse of these ‘special powers’, it is fundamental to open and accountable government that the authorisation and exercise of these powers can be reviewed by an appropriate body, such as the Ombudsman.

 Letter from the President of the Uniting Church in Australia re: September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks (14.2 kb)
Today I sent the following letter to the Embassy of the United States of America in Canberra, to the various United States Consulates around the country, to our sister churches in the United States (Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian), and to the National Council of Churches in the United States of America. The text was also released to the media.

 National Uniting Church Submission to Senate Inquiry into Provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Bill (No.2) 2005 - prepared by UnitingCare NSW.ACT staff (65.9 kb)
The Uniting Church believes that the legislation takes Australia down a dangerous path. Numerous provisions of the Bill violate fundamental civil liberties that are the inheritance of centuries of common law and a core part of our social fabric. Far from ‘getting the balance right’, many of these laws threaten the very democratic values of our society that they aim to protect.

 Review of Security (Anti-Terrorism) Legislation (43.8 kb)
Submission sent to Parliamentary Inquiry into the recommendations of the (independent) Security Legislation Review Committee.

 The War on Terrorism - Myths and Reality (181.5 kb)
The question is whether the so-called “war on terrorism” is an appropriate response. The US-led coalition of nations claims the high moral ground. But is this something that Christians should be supporting?

 Letter to NSW Premier outlining our deep concern over the Anti Terrorism Bill 2005 (6.1 kb)