Exclusive Brethren cult-leader Bruce Hales in an old family photo.The Exclusive Brethren are getting a voice in the Sydney Morning Herald? What next?
The cult has accused Greens senator Bob Brown of, effectively, lying and including 'factual inaccuracies' in a speech to the senate urging them to conduct an inquiry into the Brethren's activities.
The Exclusive Brethren are best known for their belief that John Howard was appointed by god to be Australian Prime Minister, and that engaging in underhanded, crooked, and possibly downright criminal activities in support of Howard were justified as a means to this end.
The Greens leader suggested the inquiry should examine $10 million in government payments to five Exclusive Brethren schools throughout Australia, even though they had a total of just 2,000 students.
Wow.
Brethren schools received funding in the same way as other non-government schools, Mr Hales said.
"Church members, their businesses and schools are subject to exactly the same regulations, laws and scrutiny by government agencies, tribunals and courts as other Australian individuals, businesses and schools.
"We obey the law scrupulously."
Oh that's a laugh and a half, when on numerous occasions the cult supported and encouraged some of its members in directly flouting a judge's orders in a family law case. Not to mention the shenanigans with their possibly illegal operations to hide their efforts to direct money to the Liberal party.
The Brethren called on Senator Brown to stop vilifying the church and it members.
The sect was embroiled in controversy before last year's federal election, when it was alleged it was campaigning for then-environment minister Malcolm Turnbull in his marginal seat of Wentworth in Sydney's east.
All Bob Brown wants to do is expose the nasties, the cockroaches in this creepy religious group and their bizarre ties to the Liberal party. Revealing the truth is in no way vilification.
