The Political Community
Without justice there will not be peace
3 Dec 1854: Eureka Stockade. 27 people died, resisting government oppression. Under today’s law, the Eureka Stockade would be defined as an act of terror, says Julian Burnside AO QC.
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War by media and the triumph of propaganda
The fourth estate has been sold off to private interests. What's needed is a fifth estate, one that watches the watchers and practises real journalism, John Pilger writes from London for New Matilda.
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Scientists undermined by attack campaigns – expert
Public health is being jeopardised by conflicts of interest in government appointments and dirty politics, an obesity expert says.
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Woeful exam results mark a turning point in education for Cambodia
A poor showing on country's first 'no-cheat' exams underscores where reforms are most needed.
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Christianity’s role in combating belief in witchcraft
The Christian church could play a role in influencing people and combating the belief in witchcraft because of the strength of the church in Melanesia, says Cassaundra Rangip, co-founder of an anti-witchcraft non-government organisation in Papua New Guinea.
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Trafficking
Philippine bishops call for ‘zero tolerance’ on human trafficking
The Philippine Catholic bishops' conference has called for "zero tolerance" of human trafficking, saying failure to actively fight modern slavery could undermine the church.
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Human Rights
Australia’s Grace inspires world leaders to vow to eradicate slavery
A pledge to eradicate slavery by 2020 has been signed at an extraordinary gathering of world religious leaders in the Vatican.
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Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Almost no silver lining in new TPV cloud
It is possible to understand why Senators Xenophon and Muir supported the bad law that reintroduces temporary protection visas. They saw it as a small improvement now for people in desperate circumstances, and that is true. The real culprit is the irrational and punitive policy pursued by the Government, writes Kerry Murphy for Eureka Street.
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Are you being persecuted this Christmas?
It’s that time again! For some conservative Christians, changing “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays” is a sign that it is somehow becoming harder for Christians to practise their faith openly in America. In response, Christian blogger Rachel Held Evans boiled down the controversy into a simple flow chart.
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Use It
Beyond the boats: an asylum and refugee policy for the long term
Now that the acute phase of boat arrivals appears over, Beyond the boats urges all parties to use this opportunity to construct an overarching national asylum and refugee policy for the long term.
Key recommendations include increasing Australia’s humanitarian intake, phasing out mandatory detention apart from initial screening and establishing a regional Track II dialogue.
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Social Justice & the Churches: Challenges & Responsibilities
Edited by John D'Arcy May
Professor Frank Brennan, Fr Max Vodola, Revd Gerald Rose, Revd Geoff Pound, Revd Raymond Cleary, Dr Mark Zirnsak, Major Jenny Begent, Fr Shenouda Boutros, and Margaret Coffey examine the social traditions of seven churches for today.
This book is available through Social Policy Connections for $25+$5 postage.
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