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Oberoende akademiska
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PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA, HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES 3 September 1993 Mr Antal Jozsef Dear Prime Minister I write to you in my capacity as, a Federal Member of the Australian Parliament and also as a member of Amnesty International on behalf of the Hare Krishna movement, in particular the Hare Krishna Food for Life program. I understand legislation will be before your Parliament seeking to modify Law 90-IV which deals with the registration of religious groups in Hungary Not only will this law, should it come into effect, displace other religious groups such as the Salvation Army, the Methodist Church and the Mormons, it will also displace the Hare Krishna whose -Food . for Life Program is helping so many European communities. The Salvation Army is well-known in Australia especially for its great and caring work among the unemployed and lower income families in my country, as are other Churches whose welfare and charity organisations serve this country well. The Hare Krishna has established its Food for Life Program in Australia, and in particular, at Cessnock, the heart of my electorate of Hunter. In - these times of global recession, kith accompanying high unemployment, I have found the Hare Krishna members to be kind, gentle people, caring and helping those less fortunate than themselves. In Cessnock the Hare Krishna have established gardens to grow their own produce from which they produce meals which are available to All but particularly the unemployed and the old, free of charge. My Government. does, not consider the Hare Krishna movement a threat but recognises the good work that they do in, the Community In fact, the Hare Krishna have been the recipients of Government funding grants which have assisted their members establish their gardens which produce fruit and vegetables and, for their kitchens from which they are able to produce delicious, nutritious meals free of charge to anyone in need. In no way would I consider the Hare Krishna to be a destructive cult, as I understand some in your country believe them to be. The Hare Krishna's roots go back to one of the oldest religions in the world, Hinduism. All in all they are a valuable asset in our community and I urge you to reconsider Law 90 IV. The Hare Krishna (or ISKCON) exists side by side in harmony with other religions in ' Australia and its contribution to the community is valuable and worthwhile. Yours sincerely Eric Fitzgibbon MP |
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