Latest Updates

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  Mission Australia urges government action to respond to rising homelessness crisis

  Mission Australia is urging the federal government to take immediate action following a new report highlighting a rise in Australians experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The national Christian charity responded to the "2025 Report on Government Services - Housing and Homelessness," released on Jan. 20, with a public statement emphasizing the urgent need for intervention.

  2 min read

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  Over 400 NZ church leaders oppose controversial changes to historic treaty with Maori as public consultation ends

  The public consultation period for New Zealand’s controversial Treaty Principles Bill, opposed by 400 church leaders and affecting the tenets of the 19th-century Treaty of Waitangi, closed on Jan. 7, 2024. Some respondents reported technical difficulties submitting feedback on the New Zealand Parliament’s website.

  3 min read

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  New Zealand government proposal seeks to require universities to protect freedom of speech

  Universities in New Zealand face obligations to “strengthen freedom of speech obligations” under legislation changes planned by the government. In a joint statement (Dec. 2024), Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour announced the proposed changes to the existing Education and Training Act 2020. The politicians said that each university would be required to adopt a freedom of speech statement in line with “clear expectations.” 

  2 min read

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  Three Baptist care providers announce merger to better support vulnerable people in Australia

  Three leading Baptist care providers in Australia—Baptcare, Baptist Care SA, and BaptistCare—have announced their merger into a single, yet-to-be-named organization, making it one of the largest care associations in the country. The merger, publicly unveiled in November 2024, is set to be completed by March 2025.

  1 min read

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  Mission Australia criticizes government budget's lack of support for homeless and vulnerable

  Mission Australia has issued a stern response to the Australian Government’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), saying homeless people will be negatively affected by the financial broadcast for the next four years.

  2 min read

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  Tribute to Christian leader who passed away during earthquake in Vanuatu

  Churches are still recovering following the traumatic effects of a 7.3 magnitude earthquake striking 30 kilometers west of the capital Port Vila on the south western Pacific island of Vanuatu, taking multiple lives and causing damage to buildings, including churches, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.

  1 min read

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  Despite many global issues, Australian Christians more hopeful for the future than non-believers, according to Global Hope Report 2024

  A newly published “Global Hope Report 2024” by international Christian aid agency Tearfund Australia reveals that despite a wide range of issues raising people's anxieties, Australian Christians are overall more hopeful for the future of their country and the wider world compared to their peers living in the country. 

  4 min read