Uniting Church in Australia leaders are expressing great surprise at the Federal Government’s recent statements in the area of indigenous issues.

General Secretary, Rev Gregor Henderson asked: "What is the government doing?"

National Director, Covenanting, Mr Peter Lewis said the government’s response to the UN Committee on Racial Discrimination report on mandatory sentencing and native title lacked maturity.

"A mature nation would not threaten to take its bat and go home," Mr Lewis said. "Dialogue and even disagreement is to be expected, especially when UN Human Rights reports are so damning. But the Cabinet’s response is a sign of immaturity - how can a nation nearly 100 years old still behave like a two year old?"

The leaked Federal Government submission to the Senate Inquiry into the stolen generations also contained evidence that the Government’s rhetoric on reconciliation belies its commitment according to Mr Lewis.

"To add more pain to a grieving people is evidence of a lack of compassion. To contradict the past is evidence of a nation in denial. The current state of affairs is unhealthy for our national psyche."

Mr Henderson questioned what was to happen on May 27 when the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation released its Document for Reconciliation.

"Will Corroboree 2000 be an event marking a nation’s commitment to reconciliation or will it mark another low point in the life of this nation?" he said.

"What must people think of us overseas? What will the many visitors to our shores think when they visit in September?

"We call on the government to reconsider its divisive and destructive approach to reconciliation and indigenous affairs. We do not want our children to apologise in the future for our failure to act justly today."