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To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY of New South Wales in Parliament Assembled: The petitioners and citizens of New South Wales humbly request that the Legislative Assembly support certain amendments to the Uniting Church in Australia Act (1977) NSW, observing the following:

1. The amendments seek to statutorily recognise, uphold and protect the property rights of a congregation that chooses to disassociate from the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA);

2. The NSW Synod of the UCA has declined to recognize the property rights of departing congregations. The Synod maintains that it would be legally unable to give recognition to the property rights of such congregations. This position has been sustained despite representations by members of the Uniting Church that the Synod act fairly towards departing congregations by allowing them property justice;

3. It is asserted that the amendments are needed to afford justice to congregations that have made a real contribution to the life and wealth of the UCA: basically, to give these congregations a right to a “fair go”. Currently, the legislation does not provide any scope for the property rights of such congregations as all property is vested under the Uniting Church in Australia Act (1977) NSW.

And your petitioners request that the House support amendments to the Uniting Church in Australia Act (1977) NSW to ensure that the moral and legal rights of a congregation, disaffiliated from the Uniting Church, are protected and, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

Supporting the campaign starts here by downloading and signing the petition. Please encourage all concerned citizens to sign and then mail to our office so they can be delivered to Parliament.

We recommend citizens sign both identical petitions to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council.