crazy cult update

A couple of ex-Exclusive Brethren members are asking Justice North in the Federal Court in Victoria (VID904/2008) to order that the AFP investigate the cult: link.

Former Brethren members Lydia Desai and Priscilla D’Souza have accused Exclusive Brethren members in three countries of crimes including genocide, people smuggling and slavery.

Justice North is on the progressive end of the spectrum (he gave the first instance judgment in the 1998 waterfront dispute in favour of the MUA, which was ultimately upheld by the High Court).  He will apparently ask the Victoria bar to supply a barrister for the otherwise self-represented applicants:

I rarely make this reference because I think we should be sparing to ask the bar to work free of charge, but I think your case may be a deserving one

Less encouraging is that the suit also names the Prime Minister as a respondent.  Nothing says ‘vexatious litigant’ like suing a head of state.

Painting: “Exclusive Brethren” by Jamin.