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

Submissions for this inquiry have now closed. Submissions will be progressively published here.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Inquiry, whether through correspondence, responding to the questionnaire, or providing submissions. Your engagement has provided the Committee with valuable insights and perspectives to assist in its consideration of the inquiry topic. The Committee acknowledges the effort involved, particularly the challenges that can come with sharing personal experiences and perspectives.

The Committee’s assessment of submissions for publication on its website continues. The submissions which have been processed, and approved for publication, subject to necessary redactions are available below. The Committee will continue to publish submissions once they are processed.

Redactions are made by parliamentary committees for a range of reasons. For example, redactions may be applied where submissions contain multiple adverse reflections, inappropriate content, information that could compromise ongoing investigations, or details that could identify minors or other third parties.

Where the Committee determines not to publish a submission (classified as confidential), considerations included whether:

• allegations or information were highly specific and related to current or potential future investigations
• the submission describes another person’s experience, and it is unclear if there was consent for publication
• the submitter expressly requested confidentiality
• extensive redactions would make the submission incoherent or unintelligible if published
• publication would serve the public interest.

In some instances, the Committee decides not to accept a submission. In determining whether to reject a submission, considerations include whether the content of a submission was outside the scope of the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference (meaning it does not directly relate to the topic under consideration), or it contains limited information of substantive value to the Inquiry.