Former Scientologists urged to speak out
Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has urged people to come forward about what they may have experienced as members of the Church of Scientology, following his explosive allegations in Parliament last night.
The South Australian Senator used parliamentary privilege to launch a scathing attack on the Church of Scientology and tabled seven letters from former members of the church that alleged extensive criminal activity, claims of blackmail and coerced abortions.
He has now forwarded the letters to police and wants a Senate inquiry into the church’s tax-exempt status.
The Church of Scientology has always been veiled in secrecy and controversy since it was founded by science fiction author L Ron Hubbard in 1953 and has many high-profile members across the world such as actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
Senator Xenophon says anyone who has concerns about their treatment at the hands of the church should speak up.
“I think it’s important that people who’ve had bad experiences with Scientology come forward, to tell the truth,” he said.
“It’s important that there be a Senate inquiry into the Church of Scientology and that’s why over the coming days I’ll be discussing this with my colleagues on both sides of the Senate chamber so that there can be some consensus into the terms of reference.”
MPs cautious
Senator Xenophon’s claims have prompted some MPs to voice support for an inquiry, while others have been more cautious.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says they are “grave allegations” which need to be considered carefully.
“Many people in Australia have real concerns,” he said.
“I share some of those concerns but let us proceed carefully and look carefully at the material which he has provided before we make a decision on further Parliamentary action.”
Opposition frontbencher Christopher Pyne says he has concerns about the church’s view on mental health.
Mr Pyne says the church contradicts important health advice for people with a mental illness.
“The Church of Scientology appears to believe that psychiatry, psychology and so forth is voodoo medicine and I think that is very dangerous,” he said.
“I won’t repeat Senator Xenophon’s charges, that’s a matter for him, but I certainly haven’t got much truck with the Church of Scientology.”
Independent MP Tony Windsor says the church’s tax-exempt status needs to be examined, but Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce would not commit to supporting an inquiry.
“Some bloke who arrived in a space ship, something about Johnny Travolta and Tom Cruise and jumping on couches and all that sort of rubbish,” he said.
“I don’t know - it’s their religion but I don’t think I’ll be joining it.”
Scientologists hit back
Church spokesman Cyrus Brooks has slammed the Senator’s claims as an outrageous abuse of parliamentary privilege.
“He’s actually not responded to a single letter Scientologists have written in,” he told AM.
“Not just the church, but individual Scientologists were outraged by his statements months ago and he’s marginalised Australian Scientologists by actually not responding to any single letter from them.”
He says the allegations have never been put to the church by the people who have written the letters.
“We need to get the information ourselves from the Parliament because they have not been made to us,” Mr Brooks said.
“We’ve always been willing to cooperate with any authorities on any concerns that are brought up.”
