Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ. The Thirteenth Assembly has, as you know, been meeting over this past week in Adelaide.

Over the last few months, thousands of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians have raised their voices in opposition to the discriminatory aspects of the 'Stronger Futures' legislation.

On behalf of the Uniting Church in Australia, I offer our thoughts and prayers for the safety of the asylum seekers affected by the latest tragedy off Christmas Island.

The Uniting Church in Australia has welcomed the call by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights to investigate the proposed Stronger Futures legislation.

UnitingJustice, the national justice policy unit of the Uniting Church in Australia, has welcomed the new website materials produced by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for asylum seekers arriving by boat.

The Uniting Church's justice unit UnitingJustice Australia has written to Senators urging them to reject the Stronger Futures legislation scheduled for debate in the Senate today.

The Uniting Church in Australia has called on Australians to support the community placement of asylum seekers by getting behind the Gillard Government's soon-to-be launched Community Placement Network (CPN).

The Uniting Church in Australia has welcomed a statement by the Yolngu Nations Assembly that rejects any further extension of the Northern Territory Intervention.

The National Director of Uniting Justice Australia Rev. Elenie Poulos has called on the Gillard Government to give its newly created National Children’s Commissioner real power to protect vulnerable children, particularly children in immigration detention facilities.

On Close the Gap Day, the Uniting Church in Australia acknowledges that there is significant work to be done in overcoming the disadvantage facing many Indigenous Australians.