Called to a special Synod

Posted Aug  3, 2016 in News

Please note the meeting start time of 6.30pm. The original intro to the article on the main New Times online page incorrectly stated a time of 7.30pm. The 6.30pm time, originally (and still) mentioned in the body of the article, is correct.

A lengthy discussion over nuclear waste repositories took place over the Friday and Saturday business sessions of the June Presbytery and Synod meeting. The discussion followed a presentation from Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) members Rev Denise Champion and Rev Mark Kickett.

The pair introduced the topic by speaking of the concerns of Indigenous and UAICC communities around a proposed site for a repository on Adnyamathanha (Flinders Ranges) country, and around the disposal of nuclear waste in Australia generally.

After presenting a proposal related to these points (Proposal 5), members of the Presbytery and Synod expressed concerns over this issue, with many feeling they needed to educate themselves further. Conversation centred around the distinction between the Federal Government’s low level Radioactive Waste Management Facility and the State Government’s consideration on SA’s involvement in the nuclear waste cycle, including the building of a separate medium to high waste management facility.

Both the Federal and State approaches to nuclear waste management highlight a lack of consultation with Aboriginal People. This prompted the UAICC to seek support from the Uniting Church SA in the form of this proposal, as a request to walk in solidarity with them.

The members of the Presbytery and Synod were able to reach consensus on the first point of the proposal – to “listen to and acknowledge the concerns and opposition that the UAICC are expressing about proposed nuclear dumps in South Australia”. No decision was reached on the second point of the proposal.

The third point of the proposal was passed by consensus to “request the Moderator to progress a process for Presbytery and Synod members to explore the issue of nuclear waste repositories and a meeting of Synod be convened for decision making on this matter.”

In response to the decision of the Presbytery and Synod, the Moderator has called for a special Synod meeting to take place at Adelaide West Uniting Church on Friday 19 August at 6.30pm. The meeting will further consider potential effects of nuclear waste repositories in SA, and the second point to the UAICC’s proposal, which remains an outstanding piece of business from the last meeting:

Stand in covenantal solidarity with UAICC to oppose the proposed nuclear waste repository at Barndinoota (Flinders Rangers/Ikara) South Australia.

All interested Uniting Church members are encouraged to attend the event, particularly members of the Presbytery and Synod.

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Detailed background information and resource documents can be viewed on the website here. Attendees are encouraged to read this document before attending.

A quorum is needed for this special Synod meeting. Please ensure you notify the Synod office of your intention to attend as soon as possible. Representatives were emailed a link to an intention to attend form and are encouraged to use this to indicate participation. Representatives may also confirm their intention to attend to Chris Jaensch on 8236 4279 or by email Turn on Javascript!

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