The Australian Senate is holding an inquiry into Scientology - it is nominally other Churches too but it is focusing on a private member's bill proposed by the South Australian Independent Senator, Nick Xenophon. It calls for charities and religions to satisfy a public benefit test before receiving a tax exemption.  He says: "I think every Australian who pays taxes, and that's virtually all of us, are in effect, subsidising those organisations that get a tax-free status, and I don't think it's unreasonable that there be some certain benchmarks about public benefit and also looking at the potential harm an organisation can cause before it gets a tax-free status."

He has consistently raised concerns about allegations of abuse within the "Church" of Scientology but representatives of the organization have defended the religion's activities and their lawyer has labelled Senator Xenophon's bill unconstitutional.

The inquiry is getting good press coverage in Australia.

ABC News 1;  ABC News 2;  Sydney Morning Herald 1; Sydney Morning Herald 2;

As reported on this site, Senator Xenophon started his campaign some time ago but did not give up (ABC News report here http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/13/2845062.htm ).  A recent report from his home state revealed the cynical tax avoidance strategy used by Scientology.  Their operations in many countries are a subsidiary of the "Church" in South Australia so therefore pay no tax in other countries where it's required (like the U.K.) Story here.

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