The “long arm of Beijing” prevented spiritual group Falun Dafa from joining
last year’s Melbourne Chinese New Year festival, a Melbourne tribunal was
told yesterday.
Falun Dafa members told the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal they
were discriminated against by the festival organisers because of their
political and religious views.
China banned Falun Dafa in 1999.
Mark Irving, for Falun Dafa, told the tribunal that the group sought to hold
a stall at the 2002 Melbourne festival but was refused.
They complained to the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission. Just before a
hearing was held festival organisers Concentive Australia accepted their
application. But, on festival eve, the group was told its application had
been denied by the festival host, the Federation of Chinese Associations
Victoria.
Mr Irving said the group was seeking an apology by the FCA. The hearing
continues.
– AAP
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/18/1045330599881.html
Posting date: 19/Feb/2003
Original article date: 19/Feb/2003
Category: Media Reports
