Australian PM considering inquiry into the Church
An Australian senator is accusing the Church of Scientology of torture, blackmail, sexual abuse, and forcing women to have abortions, prompting the country¹s Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, to consider a parliamentary inquiry. Senator Nick Xenophon presented letters to parliament from former church officials detailing extreme corruption and criminal activity and is calling for a review of the organizations tax-exempt status. “Scientology is not a religious organisation, it is a criminal organisation that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs,” he told the senate. One letter explained how women were threatened with demotion and hard labour if they refused to have an abortion, another detailed how a girl who was sexually abused by her father was told how to cover up his crimes. Prime Minister Rudd calls the allegations grave but says he wishes to proceed carefully before starting any investigation. The Church of Scientology issued a statement in response, saying Xenophon is abusing his parliamentary privilege and that his witnesses ³are about as reliable as former spouses are when talking about their ex-partner.”