Page 3806 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 27 August 2008
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report in the Canberra Times of 29 April 2006 where he refers to then opposition planning spokesman Zed Seselja as being “the only other MLA to have declared gifts since the last election”. He noted that he had been a guest of the universal peace federation conference in South Korea last year. This federation is part of a movement founded by the controversial cult leader, the Reverend Moon, whose followers believe he is a messiah. It paid for Mr Seselja’s travel and attendance and gave him a watch and a gold tea set of unspecified value.
What do we know about this organisation? What does Mr Seselja’s attendance at this event say about his personal values and the sort of Chief Minister and leader that he would be in this community? I think we need to have a look at what this organisation stands for.
Mr Stefaniak: I raise a point of order, Mr Assistant Speaker, on relevance. We are talking about an abortion debate, not some religious fellow in Korea.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Mr Gentleman): Mr Stefaniak, we are talking about the reaffirmation of progressive law reform.
Mr Pratt: On the point of order, Mr Assistant Speaker: what has the reaffirmation of the—
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: That is the motion, Mr Pratt.
Mr Pratt: abortion law got to do with the Moonies in Korea?
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Hopefully we will find out shortly.
Mr Pratt: Can you just tie this down?
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: Are you taking a point of order, Mr Pratt?
Mr Pratt: I am. Relevance and its non-relevance.
MR ASSISTANT SPEAKER: I call Mr Barr.
MR BARR: Thank you, Mr Assistant Speaker. The relevance of this question goes to the fundamental values that a person brings to this chamber and the leadership position that Mr Seselja now holds. It is interesting to look at this organisation, the sorts of values it holds and what it says about someone who would accept free travel and free accommodation to attend a conference organised by this group.
The Reverend Moon is described as a fundamentalist with a vengeance. He prescribes a ready-made doctrine for impatient young people. This is an individual who took out four-page ads in major newspapers defending President Nixon at the height of the Watergate controversy. Among the goals of the Moon organisation is the establishment of a worldwide government in which the separation of church and state would be abolished and which would be governed by Moon and his followers.
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