b'Ending religiousFairness in carediscrimination We received a one-off $1.3 million funding It was pleasing to see the Federal Governmentpackage from the Victoria Government for our withdraw its Religious Discrimination Bill 2021out-of-home care services. Children and young and related bills in January 2022. Faith-basedpeople in out-of-home care deserve the best organisations have demonstrated that it is possiblequality of care we can give them. If we can deliver to uphold the religious faith on which our workthe right support, we can support them to work is founded, providing services to anyone whotowards healing their past trauma, learn to trust needs them, while at the same time respectingsafely and transition into long-term homes where the diverse faith of our employees, volunteersthey can thrive.and consumers. While the funding is a welcome relief, Uniting will This was the culmination of two years ofcontinue to advocate for every child and young lobbying against the Bill in partnership withperson in residential care to be at a therapeutic the Uniting Church in Australia and its networklevel and every placement to be in the best of agencies, community sector organisations,interests of the young person.consumers and employees. Equal opportunityPalm SundayWe were pleased to see the Victorian Governments Equal Opportunity (Religious On Palm Sunday 2022, we stood in Exceptions) Amendment Bill 2021 pass the solidarity with refugees, people seeking Parliament in late 2021. As part of our advocacy asylum and their supporters across Australia on the Bill, we sent 41 letters to members of the to call out the injustices of Australias current Upper House in November detailing our position immigration policies. as a faith-based organisation, together with the We have a long history of working with newvoice of our consumers and employees. Several arrivals to Australia and advocating for betterparliamentarians actively engaged with Uniting treatment of refugees and people seeking asylum.after receiving the letters. We also released Our services assist many people seeking asylumtwo public statements acknowledging the Bills in our community, some who have been waitingintroduction and its passing as a win for diversity, many years for their applications to be resolved. respect and safety in the state.As part of the 2022 Walk for Justice for Refugees in Melbourne in April, we called on the Australian Government to take immediate action to address the lives of refugees and asylum seekers.'