The Uniting Church today called on the Federal Government to rethink its approach to further deregulation of the Industrial Relations system.

The Uniting Church today welcomed the proposed changes to the Migration Act 1958 and urged the Coalition backbench to support the Private Members Bills when they come before Parliament.

The Uniting Church today expressed frustration and disappointment with the regulations for the new Bridging (Removal Pending) Visa which gives the Minister for Immigration absolute power and offers no rights of appeal for people who take up this visa.

The Uniting Church in Australia today urged the Federal Government to continue to oppose the development and proliferation of nuclear weapons and put pressure on countries who threaten the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) ahead of the upcoming review of the treaty in New York.

The President of the Uniting Church, Rev. Dr Dean Drayton, said today that he was relieved that the cruelty of detention will be over for a small number of people, but expressed disappointment that nothing is being done for the majority who remain in detention.

The Uniting Church believes that human life is God given from the beginning. We believe that all human beings are made in the image of God and that we are called to respect the sacredness of life.

This is the statement by the National President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Dr Dean Drayton, following a meeting with the Minister for Immigration, Senator Amanda Vanstone, in Adelaide on Friday 7 January, while he was attending the National Christian Youth Convention.

The Uniting Church today said that it is disappointing that the new Shadow Minister for Immigration, Laurie Ferguson, has already shown that he knows nothing about the procedures for assessing refugee claims.

The Uniting Church today called on Australians to carefully consider their vote before casting it this Saturday to ensure it reflected the values and standards they expected from politicians.

President, Rev Dr Dean Drayton, said that throughout the election the Uniting Church has been calling for policies that ensure justice for all.

National President, Rev Dr Dean Drayton, said both parties had dished out election sweeteners during the last few weeks but neither had recognised the need to support all students in all schools.

"The handouts being offered by both parties lack a vision for the education of future generations. They focus on funding to particular types of schools and not on how we ensure that a high quality education is available to all children."