Senate Inquiry Strategy - Stage 2

[mate]

Who Should We Address

Here is some vital information for non-Aussies and even for many Aussies.

The Australian parliamentary system differs from the US, UK and many other European systems, and this is is important as to where to direct our energies for maximum effect.

Like others, the Australian system has a lower house, the House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Senate. Ministers are appointed from either house by the Prime Minister, who is himself, a member of the lower house. Legislation may be originated in either house, but it has to pass through both houses.

The opposition appoints the Leader of the Opposition, who in turn appoints a number of Shadow Ministers, whose duties may differ in part, from the government Ministers. The Cabinet, which is determined by the Prime Minister, consists of the key, and so most influential, of the Ministers. The opposition has a similar Shadow Cabinet and Shadow Ministers

However, in Australia, the party system dominates the parliamentary system more so than in other country. Without going into great detail, let's look at the usual process of a piece of legislation. A Minister has his Department come up with a proposed Bill, which is eventually to become a law, and when the Minister is satisfied, it is presented to the Cabinet. After it has been approved by the Cabinet, it is presented in the Party Room, and after it is approved by the Party with any changes, it is presented to the House of Representatives.

Note that once, the legislation is approved in the Party Room, all members of the party are committed to supporting it in both houses of parliament. This is a very important point.

Why is this important in our strategy? Well, we know that there is support for Senator Xenophon's proposal for a Senate Inquiry, from both the Greens and the National Parties, not that we should take them for granted. The National Party is part of the Coalition, which is the opposition party. So we really need to direct our efforts into winning over the Liberal Party, the other part of the opposition.

The key to this, is that next to the Leader of the Opposition (Tony Abbott), is the Shadow Cabinet. It has by far, the greatest influence on the Coalition.

As it is very seldom that Senators "break ranks", I would suggest that less attention be placed upon the Senators of tRudd's Australian Labor Party, the party in power, and most attention be placed on the Coalition Senators, Liberal and National, and the Greens and Independents.

I further suggest that not only emails be sent to the Shadow Cabinet members, but hard copy letters and faxes wouldn't go astray. Nothing like a filled in-tray to get some attention.

Here is a complete list of contact details for the Shadow Cabinet.


The Hon Tony Abbott MP Leader of the Opposition
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 4022
Fax: (02) 6277 8562
Email: [email protected]

The Hon Julie Bishop MP Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
(Deputy Leader of the Opposition)
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 2102
Fax: (02) 6277 8497
Email: [email protected]

The Hon Warren Truss MP Shadow Minister for Trade, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
(Leader of The Nationals)
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 4482
Fax: (02) 6277 8569
Online: Contact Form http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/member.asp?id=GT4

Senator the Hon Nick Minchin Shadow Minister for Resources and Energy
(Leader of the Opposition in the Senate)
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6277 3004
Fax: (02) 6277 5703
Email: Online Contact Form http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/senators/homepages/senators.asp?id=JX4

Senator the Hon Eric Abetz Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
(Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate)
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6277 3019
Fax: (02) 6277 5707
Email: Online Contact Form http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/senators/homepages/senators.asp?id=N26

The Hon Joe Hockey MP Shadow Treasurer
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 4854
Fax: (02) 6277 8401
Email: [email protected]

The Hon Christopher Pyne MP Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 4699
Fax: (02) 6277 8537
Email: [email protected]

The Hon Ian Macfarlane Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Water
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 4433
Fax: (02) 6277 8492
Email: [email protected]

Senator the Hon George Brandis SC Shadow Attorney-General
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6277 3163
Fax: (02) 6277 5730
Email: [email protected]

Senator the Hon David Johnston Shadow Minister for Defence
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6277 3222
Fax: (02) 6277 5772
Email: Online Contact Form http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/senators/homepages/senators.asp?id=00AON

The Hon Peter Dutton MP Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 4884
Fax: (02) 6277 8572
Email: [email protected]

The Hon Kevin Andrews MP Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 4585
Fax: (02) 6277 8566
Email: [email protected]

The Hon Greg Hunt MP Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 2276
Fax: (02) 6277 8446
Email: [email protected]

Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs
(Deputy Leader of the Nationals)
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6277 3867
Fax: (02) 6277 5870
Email: [email protected]

Senator Barnaby Joyce Shadow Minister for Finance and Debt Reduction
(Leader of the Nationals in the Senate)
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6277 3244
Fax: (02) 6277 3246
Email: [email protected]

The Hon John Cobb MP Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Food Security, Fisheries and Forestry
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 4721
Fax: (02) 6277 8543
Email: [email protected]

The Hon Bruce Billson MP Shadow Minister for Small Business, Deregulation, Competition Policy and Sustainable Cities
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 4257
Fax: (02) 6277 8516
Email: [email protected]

The Hon Tony Smith MP Shadow Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 4284
Fax: (02) 6277 8439
Email: [email protected]

The Hon Andrew Robb AO MP Chairman of the Coalition Policy Development Committee
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 2062
Fax: (02) 6277 8525
Email: [email protected]

 

[mate]

When Should We Address Them

When Should We Address Them

The next critical factor is timing. The Australian parliament is currently in recess and the Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Tony Abbott, has just started on a nine day cycling marathon from Melbourne to Sydney, through a number of rural towns. It is a yearly event, called the Pollie Pedal and surprisingly consists of a number of politicians

The recess is until May 11, where both houses sit for three days. Then for the Senate, there is a further recess until June 15. With the May 11 –13 sitting the Government will be presenting its budget followed by a reply by the Opposition.

This, of course, means that May 11 would be an ideal time for Senator Xenophon to again present his proposal for a Senate Inquiry. But it also means that the Opposition is not distracted with the development of a budget. Of course, when politicians are not sitting in Canberra, they would be back in their own electorates, involved in electorate matters and in many cases would arrive in Canberra the week or so before the sitting.

I would suggest that the best period to communicate with them, would be from April 26 to May 10.

Just a thought.

David.

 

[mate]

With What Should We Address Them

With What Should We Address Them

The final factor is content. As Carmel has pointed out, that with Senator Abetz response to Senator Xenophon’s presentation, there is agreement among the Coalition Shadow Ministers and Senators, that they accept that there are extant human rights abuses within the Church of Scientology. However, there is also agreement that the local police and government agencies should handle it.

It is this latter point, which I believe must now be addressed, while at the same time acknowledging their recognition that the allegations are serious and must be handled. Their suggestion is of course, a correct one, but unfortunately there are some very real obstacles associated with this, for the abused scientologist / ex-scientologist. The following outline, should give you some insight as to why this is.

Scientologists "know" that the survival of mankind, can only be achieved through scientology teachings, that without these teachings, mankind is doomed.

Why is this? Well, man is driven by the urge to survive. Hubbard stated that there are a number of dynamics associated with this urge. The first dynamic is to survive as self, the second is to survive as a family unit, the third as a group (and to scientologists there is only one group, yes, scientology. The fourth as mankind, the fifth as all living things, the sixth as the physical universe, the seventh as a spirit, the eighth as “god”. But the survival of mankind and of all living things and of the planet are dependent upon the survival of scientology. So that the greatest good across all dynamics, is the survival of scientology

As a result, Scientologists have accepted that an attack, any attack, whether a press article on scientology or a court case or even one scientologist suing another, imperils the future of Scientology and so, of mankind, and they will do whatever is necessary, to defend the Church’s reputation.

Scientologists, particularly staff, are aware of the many abuses within the Church, and indeed, the abuses are rampant, but at the same time, they are in full agreement and coerced in many cases, that the abuses must be handled internally. This is the case even where the handling is or has been, ineffective, and the abuse continues. These abuses include rape, pedophilia, incest, coerced abortions, physical violence, and so on.

When anyone or any organisation, attacks the Church, they are declared an “Enemy” and the “fair game policy” applies, which states an enemy may be “deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed”. Wikipedia has an excellent entry on this.

Where the Church is being sued in a court case, civil or criminal, Church scientologists willingly agree, or coerced, to lie as witnesses, even under oath, even committing perjury, because the future of mankind depends upon it. So they will kae that sacrifice. These selected “witnesses” are trained to do so and thoroughly drilled to be effective liars. As well, the Church will always provide many more witnesses than the plaintiff, while at the same time, attempt to frighten off, often successfully, the plaintiff’s witnesses, which is of course, part of the Fair Game policy.

The Church will appeal and appeal until either the plaintiff drops the action or comes to a settlement. The vast majority of plaintiffs do not have the financial resources to continue with an action.

This is why former scientologists have not gone to, or willing to go to, the police or any government agency.

Not only are they in fear of having family members disconnect from them, not only are they in fear of losing their livelihoods, but they are in fear of losing their lives.

Just a thought.

David.

 

[Carmel]

Thanks for posting David. Good and infromative posts.

In addition to what you have said........

Lobbying by MP's in the Labor Party, The Liberal party, The National Party, and The Greens Party, is currently underway. We do have Labor and Liberal MP's currently lobbying their own party members to get a Senate Inquiry into Scn.....They are ones who are with us, but couldn't "cross the floor" when this issue was last voted on.

By the time Parliament actually sits (in this case May 11th), most has already been decided. What goes on in Parliament when it "sits", is generally just an *airing* for the constituents on what has *already* been decided on the back lines.

If any of these Senators/MP's receive a flood of emails/letters at once, then to some degree the message gets lost. I suggest that *now* is the time to start writing to these MP's.......from now to May 2nd, because it's in this period that the MP's will have the time to give attention to it, and it'll be the time in which they'll decide. The week before Parliament sits again is a hellish time for them all (all of a sudden there is so much on the agenda). Besides, this issue IS one which is being discussed *now*.

Anyways, that's my 2 cents........If ya wanna write to the Aussie MP's, then do so between now and May 2nd, if ya wanna make it count.

 

[Carmel]

With What Should We Address Them

The final factor is content. As Carmel has pointed out, that with Senator Abetz response to Senator Xenophon’s presentation, there is agreement among the Coalition Shadow Ministers and Senators, that they accept that there are extant human rights abuses within the Church of Scientology. However, there is also agreement that the local police and government agencies should handle it.

It is this latter point, which I believe must now be addressed, while at the same time acknowledging their recognition that the allegations are serious and must be handled. Their suggestion is of course, a correct one, but unfortunately there are some very real obstacles associated with this, for the abused scientologist / ex-scientologist. The following outline, should give you some insight as to why this is.

Scientologists "know" that the survival of mankind, can only be achieved through scientology teachings, that without these teachings, mankind is doomed.

Why is this? Well, man is driven by the urge to survive. Hubbard stated that there are a number of dynamics associated with this urge. The first dynamic is to survive as self, the second is to survive as a family unit, the third as a group (and to scientologists there is only one group, yes, scientology. The fourth as mankind, the fifth as all living things, the sixth as the physical universe, the seventh as a spirit, the eighth as “god”. But the survival of mankind and of all living things and of the planet are dependent upon the survival of scientology. So that the greatest good across all dynamics, is the survival of scientology

As a result, Scientologists have accepted that an attack, any attack, whether a press article on scientology or a court case or even one scientologist suing another, imperils the future of Scientology and so, of mankind, and they will do whatever is necessary, to defend the Church’s reputation.

Scientologists, particularly staff, are aware of the many abuses within the Church, and indeed, the abuses are rampant, but at the same time, they are in full agreement and coerced in many cases, that the abuses must be handled internally. This is the case even where the handling is or has been, ineffective, and the abuse continues. These abuses include rape, pedophilia, incest, coerced abortions, physical violence, and so on.

When anyone or any organisation, attacks the Church, they are declared an “Enemy” and the “fair game policy” applies, which states an enemy may be “deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed”. Wikipedia has an excellent entry on this.

Where the Church is being sued in a court case, civil or criminal, Church scientologists willingly agree, or coerced, to lie as witnesses, even under oath, even committing perjury, because the future of mankind depends upon it. So they will kae that sacrifice. These selected “witnesses” are trained to do so and thoroughly drilled to be effective liars. As well, the Church will always provide many more witnesses than the plaintiff, while at the same time, attempt to frighten off, often successfully, the plaintiff’s witnesses, which is of course, part of the Fair Game policy.

The Church will appeal and appeal until either the plaintiff drops the action or comes to a settlement. The vast majority of plaintiffs do not have the financial resources to continue with an action.

This is why former scientologists have not gone to, or willing to go to, the police or any government agency.

Not only are they in fear of having family members disconnect from them, not only are they in fear of losing their livelihoods, but they are in fear of losing their lives.

Just a thought.

David.

Good point David.

There is no debate these days about what goes on behind the closed doors of the CofS.....It's not the issue. The "debate" now, is about *how* the abuses/crimes should be adressed and/or dealt with.

That is the focus now, so any communication relevant to that, and to why the current system doesn't work or help in regard to this issue, *will* be of value.

 

[Type4_PTS]

Thank-You Mate for the info!

Does anyone know whether Mike Rinder has given any indication as to whether he would cooperate with a Senate Inquiry or not?

 

[Outethicsofficer]

Good work

Well presented David, we will work on our end of things getting our letters out in a timely fashion.

James

 

[Happy Days]

That's right do continue or start to write letters also when writing to government departments cc Senators in as well as the Federal Minister responsible for that portfolio. This will provide evidence that we have followed Senator Abetz's advice and engage with the various departments.

 

[mate]

Hi guys, the break is over. Now is the time to get those emails and faxes off.

The most important is the Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott. He is the key, and is closely followed by the Shadow Cabinet, consisting of the Shadow Ministers, followed by the Opposition Senators, followed by all the other Senators. Then the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and his Cabinet Ministers.

I would suggest that the emails and faxes to the the Opposition leader and his Shadow Cabinet, be personalised and not duplicates of each other. Lets get all these key emails and faxes done this week.

Regards, David.

 

[Div6]

Good point David.

There is no debate these days about what goes on behind the closed doors of the CofS.....It's not the issue. The "debate" now, is about *how* the abuses/crimes should be adressed and/or dealt with.

That is the focus now, so any communication relevant to that, and to why the current system doesn't work or help in regard to this issue, *will* be of value.

What options are on the table?

 

[mate]

What options are on the table?

Hi Div6.
I'm not sure whether you are referring to options to the Senate Inquiry or you are referring to options as to what Inquiry outcome(s) are expected. If it is the latter, I have started a new thread titled "Senate Inquiry Outcome - What would you like to see?". If it is the former, I suspect that there is little doubt that we will see a Senate Inquiry. The abuses which are coming to light, are simply horrific, together with the grim determination of Senator Xenophon, it will occur.

Regards, David.

 

[Carmel]

What options are on the table?

In addition to what Mate has said and the info on the other thread.....

When this issue was last raised in Parliament, it was acknowledged by all (including those against an Inquiry) that the CofS was an issue of concern, and that something needs to change.

The Senator who spoke for the Liberal Party, argued that Scientologists should simply take the option of going to the police, the Fair Work Ombudsman, and existing authorities if crimes or abuses have occurred. We know that this doesn't and won't happen, and why this isn't a solution to the problem. Besides, it's one of the Senate's jobs to prevent crime and abuse in the first place - It's this area that is now being adressed. "What's the fix?", as opposed to "does there need to be one?".

 

[Moderator 1]

The off topic discussion with IAAS (18 posts) has been moved to another thread. Please keep it there.

 

[Carmel]

Bump!

Bumping for obvious reasons.

 

[Happy Days]

Change in Liberal Leader in the Senate

For all those who are writing or contacting Senators and Ministers.

TASMANIAN senator Eric Abetz was yesterday elected unopposed as Liberal Senate leader, succeeding Nick Minchin, who will not contest this year's election.

Here's the link to the news article for your info.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...s-abetz-steps-up/story-e6frg6nf-1225861779777

 

[Carmel]

For all those who are writing or contacting Senators and Ministers.

TASMANIAN senator Eric Abetz was yesterday elected unopposed as Liberal Senate leader, succeeding Nick Minchin, who will not contest this year's election.

Here's the link to the news article for your info.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...s-abetz-steps-up/story-e6frg6nf-1225861779777

Yep, well, so be it. Thanks for posting, HD.

In regard to his new role and issues before the Senate, Abetz said this:

"As before, all issues will be treated on a case-by-case basis with one simple test: is it in Australia's best interests?"

Let's encourage him to apply that same "simple test" to the issue of an Inquiry into the CofS.

 

[mate]

Okay guys,
Time is running out to get those emails to the Leader of the Opposition, members of the Shadow Cabinet, and Senators. For those who have already sent emails, now is a good time to send a brief followup email, particularly to Tony Abbott. Next in priority would be members of the Shadow Cabinet. And don't forget to congratulate Senators Eric Abetz and George Brandis who have become leader and deputy leader of the Liberal Party in the Senate.

Regards, David.