The Uniting Church in Australia has called on the churches of the Pacific to stand in solidarity with the Aboriginal people of Australia to resist changes being proposed by the government in land tenure and ownership and welfare services in remote areas.
The group's national President, Rev Gregor Henderson, says the support of Pacific churches is needed to convince the Australian Government to continue to upgrade its welfare services for aboriginal people living in hardship in remote areas.
Rev. Henderson explained that accusations that have been flying around have been very heavy accusations, not only of domestic violence and abuse by Aboriginal men against their womenfolk, but also of sexual abuse of children.
He says Aboriginal leaders are horrified at the way that the Australian Government has gone along with these allegations, some of which seem to be far-fetched.
The Uniting Church of Australia wants, the Australian Government to halt its current intervention but to consult with the Aboriginal community and to reverse its stance on land rights for the Aboriginal people.
