The Senate has rejected a call for a parliamentary inquiry into the controversial Church of Scientology, despite allegations the church had engaged in criminal and unconscionable conduct.
A group of former members of the church watched from the public gallery as Independent senator Nick Xenophon argued the case for a Senate inquiry on Thursday.
Scientology had engaged in criminal and unconscionable conduct, harassment and stalking, while benefiting from tax-exempt status, he said.
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'Above the law'
"This is not about belief systems. This is about behaviour.
"When we have mounting evidence of cases of abuse, of cases where this organisation says it is above the law because of its own court system ... then I think that's worth looking at."
Senator Xenophon's motion was defeated 33 votes to 6, with Liberal Bill Heffernan pointedly abstaining.
Senator Xenophon warned the Senate he would persist with his campaign for an inquiry.
"This issue won't go away," he said, adding he would raise it again when parliament resumed in May.
Greens senator backs call
He was backed by Australian Greens senator Christine Milne who accused the government and opposition of a cop-out.
Government Senate leader Chris Evans said he was no fan of the Church of Scientology.
But the government opposed an inquiry for the same reasons it opposed an inquiry into the Exclusive Brethren sect last year, he said.
The role of Senate committees was to inquire into matters of public policy and administration, not into specific organisations.
At various times the Senate might have been inclined to inquire into the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, the Wilderness Society or the Liberal Party's Menzies Research institute, Senator Evans said.
'Witch hunt'
"It is very dangerous thing for us to have what could be seen as a witch hunt against an individual organisation, be it a religion, a trade union, a community organisation or a company."
Liberal senator Eric Abetz urged the Fair Work Ombudsman to examine the employment practices of the church.
But he said the opposition would not support a Senate inquiry for the same reasons it had opposed an inquiry into the Exclusive Brethren.
It would even oppose a Senate inquiry into the Greens' "industrial arm", the Wilderness Society, he said.
"Oh the temptation is sweet to have a Senate inquiry into the Wilderness Society but would it be the right thing to do and the answer is, I think, no," he said.
'Unfounded attack'
The Church of Scientology has welcomed the Senate vote.
"It is not the role of parliament to investigate any religious organisation or seek to use parliament as a forum for an unfounded attack on any religion," it said in a statement.
It said Senator Xenophon's allegations were "utterly without foundation".
"They are rumour and outright lies by individuals levelling scurrilous accusations against their former religion."
