Board of Inquiry into Scientology

Full description

The Board of Inquiry into Scientology was established by Order-in-Council on 27 November 1963 and published in the Victorian Government Gazette on 28 November 1963. Kevin Victor Anderson Q.C. was appointed to be the Board.

The Terms of Reference were to

Inquire into, report upon, and make recommendations concerning Scientology as known, carried on, practised and applied in Victoria and in particular and without derogating from the generality of the foregoing-

1. The aims, objects and purposes thereof and whether it is capable of achieving to any and what extent such aims, objects and purposes.

2. The persons and organizations by whom and the place or places at which the same is so carried on, practised, or applied.

3. The methods, processes, practices, techniques, principles and treatment involved or used or applied in the carrying on, practice, or application thereof.

4. The circumstances in which and the conditions under or in accordance with which the same is carried on, practised or applied.

5. The circumstances surrounding, the principles involved in, the conditions relating to, and the methods applied in the teaching thereof.

6. The nature and amount of fees charged or remuneration received by persons or organizations engaged in the carrying on, practice, application and teaching thereof.

7. The instruments, machines, devices or other apparatus used in the carrying on, practice, or application thereof, and the manner of use of and the effectiveness of the same.

8. The illnesses or ailments, mental or physical, treated in the course of the carrying on, practice or application thereof, the effectiveness of such treatment, and whether such treatment is in any and what way harmful or beneficial or likely to be harmful or beneficial to the persons treated.

9. The advertisements used in the carrying on, practice, or application thereof, and whether the same have been in any and what manner false or misleading, and whether the same should be prohibited, regulated, or restricted in any and what way.

10. Whether persons or organizations engaged in the carrying on, practice, or application thereof have indulged in any and what unlawful, improper, harmful or prejudicial practices or activities.

11. Whether children under the age of sixteen years have been treated by any and what persons or organizations in the carrying on, practice, or application thereof, the circumstances and conditions under which such children have been treated and whether such treatment has been or was likely to be in any and what manner harmful or beneficial.

12. The terms and conditions under which and the circumstances in which persons are engaged for employment and employed by persons or organizations carrying on, practising or applying the same.


The report of the findings of the inquiry was to be completed by Kevin Victor Anderson as soon as possible.

The Board reported that it had been unable to find any worthwhile redeeming feature in Scientology. The Board concluded the Scientology constituted a serious medical, moral and social threat to individuals and the community generally and that its continued practice should not be permitted.

The complete findings of the Board and its report dated 28 November 1965 can be located in Papers Presented to Parliament, Session 1965-1966, Vol.2, No. 9. pages 1025-1232.