Australia's NSW Police investigating Scientology

"Hundreds of allegations" against the Church of Scientology are being investigation by New South Wales Police, the Sydney Morning Herald reported Tuesday.

The investigation was provoked by "a series of letters from former members tabled in Federal Parliament by independent senator Nick Xenophon," reported The Age.

Xenophon used parliamentary privilege to accuse Scientology of criminal misconduct, including torture and forced abortions. The Sydney Morning Herald reported:

The most senior executive to defect from the church, American Marty Rathbun, has said the allegations, including coercion to have abortions and donate money, are unwritten church policy, dictated from its head office, according to a speech by the Greens MP John Kaye to the NSW Upper House.

Federal funding to two schools closely linked to Scientology was also under fire. Herald education editor Anna Patty wrote:

FEWER than 100 children will benefit from more than $1.6 million in Federal Government subsidies over four years to two schools strongly linked to the Scientology movement.
. . .

A NSW Greens MP, John Kaye, said the Athena School had enrolled fewer than 50 students last year, according to NSW Government figures. He said the Rudd Government, despite its concerns about Scientology, had endorsed the use of public money to support a school that promoted Hubbard's teaching.

''Public funding to the Scientology schools promotes the teachings of an organisation that has been accused of intimidation, blackmail and fraud.''

Dr. Kaye said:

''These explosive revelations underline the urgency of investigating the operations of the Church of Scientology in Australia. It is possible that recognising the organisation as a religion was a grave mistake that has granted legitimacy to a cult that bullies, intimidate and exploits,'' he said.

''There is a growing case for comprehensive examination not only of the church leadership in Australia but also of the church itself as a religion.''