L. Ron has no 'fan' in Baillieu

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This was published 13 years ago

L. Ron has no 'fan' in Baillieu

By David Rood

PREMIER Ted Baillieu has spoken out against the Church of Scientology, saying he would have refused to attend the weekend opening of Melbourne's Scientology headquarters.

Mr Baillieu declared he was ''not a fan'' of Scientology, when asked about the opening of the Ascot Vale centre.

Protesters at the weekend opening of Melbourne's Scientology headquarters.

Protesters at the weekend opening of Melbourne's Scientology headquarters.Credit: Wayne Hawkins

''I, like many Australians, have concerns about the role Scientology has played in the past and I'm not a fan,'' he said.

The Premier's position put him at odds with lord mayor Robert Doyle, who claimed to attend as a friend of singer Kate Ceberano. ''People shouldn't draw any commentary from my attendance other than that this was a personal invitation from a friend,'' Cr Doyle said.

Lord mayor Robert Doyle arrives at the weekend launch of Melbourne's new Scientology headquarters.

Lord mayor Robert Doyle arrives at the weekend launch of Melbourne's new Scientology headquarters.Credit: Wayne Hawkins

Mr Baillieu said the lord mayor's decision to attend was a matter for him.

The Church of Scientology declined to respond to Mr Baillieu's comments.

The church was founded by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, who declared that the galactic dictator Xenu dumped millions of corpses in volcanoes on Earth 75 million years ago and blew them up with 17 hydrogen bombs. The souls, or ''thetans'', of the dead were contaminated and in turn contaminated humans, who can be cleansed only by Scientology.

About 50 protesters gathered at the opening of the Mount Alexander Road building, with mounted police also in attendance. A Church of Scientology press release quoted Cr Doyle and former planning minister Justin Madden.

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''You have set the standard for the community with your restoration of this building and with your social programs - an example for others to follow,'' Mr Madden is quoted as saying.

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South Australian senator Nick Xenophon, who has pushed for Scientology's tax-free status to be scrapped, questioned Cr Doyle's attendance.

''The fact is that he's the lord mayor of the City of Melbourne and his presence will be seen as a seal of approval for an organisation that has caused so much harm to so many,'' he said.

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