Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee

Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups

Conducting Public Hearings

Hearings will be live broadcast and the public gallery is closed. 

This page will be updated with further information and hearing dates once confirmed.

Support services

 

Please be advised that this hearing may include evidence or testimony that some viewers could find distressing.

If you are affected by any of the material presented, support is available. Please refer to the following services for assistance.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact 000.

If you require any support, the following support services are available:

Lifeline – Call 13 11 14, available 24/7, or visit Lifeline.org.au

Kids Helpline – Call 1800 55 1800, available 24/7, or visit KidsHelpline.com.au

Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service –

if you or someone you care about is living with the effects of abuse, neglect, violence or exploitation – Call 1300 657 380, available 9 am to 5 pm 7 days a week, or visit BlueKnot.org.au

Sexual Assault Crisis Line – Call 1800 806 292 or contact your local sexual assault service.

Victims of Crime Helpline – Call 1800 819 817, available 8 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday and 8 am to 5 pm Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, or Text 0427 767 891, or visit victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au.

Upcoming public hearings

No hearings have been set for this inquiry yet. Please check back later.

Previous public hearings

Corrected transcripts of these hearings are published below when finalised by the Committee.

  • 9:30 AM

    Janja Lalich, CEO, Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion

    10:45 AM

    The Religious Trauma Collective - Australia/New Zealand Jane Kennedy, Registered Counsellor Samantha Sellers, Registered Therapist and Clinical Supervisor Elise Heerde, Certified Coach and Mental Health Practitioner

    12:00 PM

    Cult Information and Family Support Tore Klevjer, President

    2:00 PM

    Freedom for Faith Mike Southon, Executive Director Kojo Akomeah, Board Member

    3:15 PM

    Paul Gratton, Pastor, Now Church Moe

    4:15 PM

    Australian Christian Lobby Jasmine Yuen, Victorian Director Milton Oliver, Senior Pastor, ReChurch Phi Duong, Senior Pastor, Western New Community Baptist Church

  • 11:30 AM

    Elise Heerde

    1:30 PM

    Cult Consulting Australia Raphael Aron, Director

    3:00 PM

    Lex de Man Ben Shenton

  • 1:00 PM

    Laura McConnell

    4:00 PM

    Clare Heath-McIvor

  • 9:15 AM

    Ryan Carey Catherine Carey

    2:00 PM

    Richard Baker, Investigative Journalist