Aaron Saxton, a New Zealand-born former Scientologist who joined the Sea Org at 15 and left Scientology in 2006, contacted Australian Senator Nick Xenophon in 2009. In a November 2009 Senate speech, Xenophon read and tabled Saxton’s allegations that Scientology officials used forced confinement, physical abuse, blackmail, punitive hard-labor camps, inadequate medical care, and coercion of pregnant staff to obtain abortions. Saxton said he had participated in some actions while holding senior operational and security roles in Sydney and the United States, and that he had ordered more than 30 people to work camps. These claims were allegations recorded in Parliament, not findings established by a court in the supplied source.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd called the concerns raised by former members “grave” and said he would consider further action. Xenophon sought a parliamentary inquiry, but the Australian Senate rejected it in March 2010 by 33 votes to 6, with 37 abstentions. Scientology denied Saxton’s account, called his letter unreliable, and said any coercion would violate church policy. The episode nevertheless placed alleged labor exploitation, retaliation against critics, and the treatment of internal records before Australia’s national legislature; Saxton also reported harassment after speaking out, claims Scientology disputed.
