Vic: Council ordered to apologise to Falun Dafa over ban

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2003
Vic: Council ordered to apologise to Falun Dafa over ban

By Karen Hart

MELBOURNE, Dec 23 AAP - 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 the city council had discriminated
against Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, by refusing to let it take part in the event
in March this year.

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.

The council had originally accepted the group's entry in January, but three weeks later
decided to exclude them.

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".

"In my opinion, not only did the city council discriminate against Falun Dafa, it treated
it harshly," he said.

"Whilst obviously I made no ruling in relation to it, some might draw the inference
that it was the city council, and not Falun Dafa, that was motivated by politics."

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.

"Given my ruling concerning the city council's somewhat shabby conduct in relation
to the 2003 parade, the necessity of litigation concerning this or a similar issue in
relation to future parades will hopefully be avoided," he said.

Falun Dafa spokesman Michael Pearson-Smith said the group now hoped to enter next year's
Moomba parade.

"Their (the city council's) conduct was very shabby indeed, and this was reflected
in the judgment, but we can only speculate why we were rejected." he told reporters outside
the court.

"We very much hope to take part in next year's event."

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 seek court costs.

City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Susan Riley said the council would abide by VCAT's decision.

AAP kh/ce/tma/br

KEYWORD: FALUN NIGHTLEAD (PIX AVAILABLE)

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