As expressed in an email by Bek Christensen, Australia EAPPI national coordinator, “while Australia hasn't had many EAs, a number of our EAs have come from the Uniting Church, and it was noted by a number of church leaders that the advocacy efforts of EAs through the church communities was important in enabling this decision to make it through”.
The full text of the resolution can be found here:
http://assembly2015.uca.org.au/66-palestine-andrew-dutney-felicity-amery/
The speech by outgoing President Andrew Dutney, who presented the motion, can be read here:
https://andrewfdutney.wordpress.com/2015/07/17/proposal-on-palestine/
The Uniting Church will be writing to Kairos and the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem about this decision in the near future.
The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) was established on 22 June 1977 when most congregations of the Methodist Church of Australasia, the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union. According to the Australian Census in 2011 there are 1,065,796 people identifying with the Uniting Church in Australia, making it the third largest denomination behind the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church. The church has a strong ecumenical commitment, with national dialogues with nine other Australian churches. As declared by its name, it seeks close cooperation and further union with other churches. The closest relationships and greatest cooperation are with the Anglican and Lutheran churches and the Churches of Christ (Disciples). UCA is an active member of the World Council of Churches and the World Communion of Reformed Churches.
Best greetings,
Manuel Quintero-EAPPI