Recent media reports have highlighted shocking instances of foreign worker exploitation in various Australian industries, particularly in relation to labour hire companies.
The ABC reported a Victorian man, operating as a labour hire business, was under investigation over allegations he had exploited migrant farm workers. Workers were allegedly paid as little as 60 cents an hour for 22-hour working days.
...Few issues cause more angst within the church community then the issue of property. Many people feel property can take over and even determine church life. Recognising this dilemma, the synod’s Property Services unit has developed a Property for Mission Workbook to assist congregations as they discern the best use of property.
A call for radical changes to Victoria’s out-of-home care system and a push towards more kinship care have been welcomed by community welfare organisation Kildonan UnitingCare.
It has backed the call to move forward “in a pro-active child-focused manner” by Victorian Commissioner for Children and Young People, Bernie Geary, in the wake of the Commission’s recent report into the sexual ...
The synod People and Culture team has recently updated policies and processes around managing volunteers.
Stephen Mullen, director of the synod’s People and Culture unit, said the amended policies particularly relate to congregations working with vulnerable individuals.
“We’ve updated volunteer processes with a significant focus for when our congregations are working with people who are in a special-needs category,” he said.
...By NIGEL TAPP
Property can enhance a congregation’s life. But, if it is unfit for purpose or requires significant upkeep, congregations can quickly find too much of their time and money is poured into property maintenance rather than undertaking their mission.
With this in mind the Property Board has launched an Asset Strategy Program (ASP) to support congregations and church ...
The Creative Ministries Network (CMN) board has recommended to the Commission for Mission (CFM) board that the agency move to dissolution.
CMN board chair Rev Paul Mayfield said the agency is aware that many people throughout the church will be concerned and distressed about this decision. He told Crosslight he hopes to inform them, as much as possible, about the ...
Keith George’s wish to fly in a Tiger Moth plane for the first time in 63 years was granted on Saturday, when the 88-year-old took off from Lilydale Airport thanks to the Uniting AgeWell Wishing Well program.
Keith, a resident at Uniting AgeWell Forest Hill, gained his private pilot’s licence in 1952 in a Tiger Moth but, ...
National director for Multicultural and Cross Cultural Ministry Rev Dr Apwee Ting joined with 50 other faith leaders at this year’s National Day of Unity launch.
Representatives from the Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh and Baha’i faiths communities participated in the event, held at Parliament House in Canberra. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, federal opposition leader Bill Shorten and ...
On Sunday 1 November, the Outer Eastern Asylum Seeker Support Network will host prominent human rights activist Julian Burnside for a public forum to discuss issues around refugees and asylum seekers in an Australian context.
Supported by Lentara UnitingCare Asylum Seeker Project, the free event will include wide-ranging discussion and debate on Australia’s response to refugee and ...
A report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) on Australia’s ice problem has recommended greater support for treatment and early intervention services. It urges the federal government to adopt policies that reduce harm in the community rather than focus on stronger policing.
The report, released on Tuesday, was co-authored by Vernon White and ASPI senior analyst John Coyne. Mr ...
This week is Anti-Poverty Week 2015, the annual campaign working to encourage and highlight efforts to address poverty in Australia and across the globe.
The week-long campaign also serves to increase community awareness and understanding of the underlying causes and extent of poverty.
From large-scale international projects to smaller grassroots initiatives, there are many inspiring individuals and ...
On Monday 5 October, the Government of Nauru announced its regional processing centre used to house asylum seekers would become an ‘open centre’, effectively ending detention. As from this coming Monday, 12 October, all asylum seekers will be effectively free to move around the island. In this week, the Nauruan Government also committed to processing 6000 ...
