MELBOURNE City Council has been ordered to apologise to spiritual group
Falun Dafa for refusing to allow them to take part in the city’s annual
Moomba parade.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) ruled that the city
council had discriminated against the group, also known as Falun Gong, by
refusing to let it take part in the event last month.
Falun Dafa, which has been banned in China since 1999, and claims more than
500 members have been killed for their beliefs, was barred by the city
council amid concerns over the group’s political associations.
Falun Dafa’s argument that the ban breached the Equal Opportunity Act was
accepted by VCAT vice president Judge John Bowman who described the actions
of the city council as “shabby”.
But Judge Bowman refused to grant Falun Dafa’s request for a permanent
injunction against the city council to ensure it was not refused entry into
the parade in the future.
The case was adjourned until February 3, where the wording of a formal city
council apology would be discussed, Judge Bowman said.
Falun Dafa said it would be seeking costs.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8244071%255E1702,00.html
Posting date: 23/Dec/2003
Original article date: 23/Dec/2003
Category: Media Report
