[Greens-Media] Brown warns Pell 'it's against the law to coerce a member of parliament'

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Wednesday, 6 June 2007

Brown warns Pell 'it's against the law to coerce a member of parliament'

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown today warned Archbishop George Pell
against threatening federal members of parliament after he threatened
Catholic members of NSW state parliament to vote against stem cell
legislation.

"Cardinal Pell's threats that there would be religious 'consequences'
for Catholic MPs who voted for the stem cell legislation are completely
unacceptable," Senator Brown said.
 
"Attempting to coerce Catholic members of the NSW state parliament is a
serious matter. Cardinal Pell should understand that it could be a
criminal matter if similar remarks were used to coerce federal
politicians."

The Criminal Code Act 1995  provides a penalty of up to 12 years
imprisonment for threatening commonwealth public officials and for both
the giver and receiver of inducements for commonwealth public officials
(including federal politicians) to change their behaviour.

"I urge Cardinal Pell to refrain from bullying Catholic MPs with
religious 'consequences' when the Senate votes on my voluntary
euthanasia bill, or any other matter of conscience," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603

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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au