TONY EASTLEY: The Australian of the Year, Professor Patrick McGorry, says there should be a Senate inquiry into the Church of Scientology.
Mr McGorry, a world renowned mental health expert is being supported in his call by two other respected Australian psychiatrists. All are behind Independent Senator, Nick Xenophon's efforts to set up an investigation into the Church's activities.
From Canberra, Sabra Lane reports.
SABRA LANE: Professor Patrick McGorry, a respected authority on youth mental health says it's time to put the Church of Scientology under the federal parliamentary microscope.
PATRICK MCGORRY: It's a bit like they're the deniers of the reality of mental illness, which is not only incredibly irresponsible and dangerous, but something that has to be challenged.
SABRA LANE: The Church has strong views about psychiatric medicine, and the Professor says those teachings should be examined in a public forum, like a Senate inquiry.
PATRICK MCGORRY: I am supportive of it, because I'm concerned that any restriction or any discouragement of access to mental health care will cost lives, and result in unnecessary disability for people.
SABRA LANE: Professor Ian Hickie - the executive director of the Brain and Mind Institute supports a Senate inquiry, as does Professor Louise Newman, the president of the Royal Australian College of Psychiatrists.
LOUISE NEWMAN: This is not a trivial issue and I think for far too long, these sort of extremist views have hidden behind a group which describes itself as being an organised religion.
SABRA LANE: Again, Professor McGorry:
PATRICK MCGORRY: The whole mental health field would support this call for an inquiry and it's overdue in fact - in my opinion.
SABRA LANE: The Professor met Senator Nick Xenophon yesterday. In Parliament last year the Senator raised serious allegations of abuse, blackmail and forced abortions within the Church. Back then the church claimed he'd abused parliamentary privilege.
But the Senator's pushed for an inquiry since, with support from the Greens and as yet, he doesn't have enough support from either the Government or Opposition Senators but they'll be voting on this enquiry before the end of next week.
NICK XENOPHON: I was heartened by the Prime Minister's statement last year that he was concerned about these allegations. These are concerns that need to be dealt with in a transparent and robust manner. The way to do that is a Senate inquiry.
The Church of Scientology can be represented at that inquiry, they can give their submissions but it would be an open and transparent process.
SABRA LANE: Are you obsessed by this?
NICK XENOPHON: I've got an obligation to the victims of Scientology who've come forward with very serious allegations to see this through. To do anything else would be abandoning those victims. To do anything else would be walking away from a very important issue.
SABRA LANE: Scientology of Church spokesman, Cyrus Brooks:
CYRUS BROOKS: I say that's the wrong way for them to go. They're, uh, getting into the field of religion and they better stay in the field of mental health. It's not the role of the Parliament and there's already frame works in place for people who have made complaints. Many dissenters have said that and, I think, that's a true statement.
TONY EASTLEY: Church of Scientology spokesman Cyrus Brooks, ending that report by Sabra Lane.
