Airgram: American Consul Melbourne to Department of State re: Transmittal of Victorian Report on Scientology (April 19, 1973)

In response to a request from the Las Vegas police, Che Chief Secretary’s Office of the Victorian Government has asked the Consulate General’s assistance in a proper response to Las Vegas police request for the enclosed “Report of the Board of Inquiry into Scientology”, and “Appendix 19” of that Report.

The Chief Secretary has asked for the Consulate General’s assistance because of the possibility of a libel action against the Victorian Government – by Lafayette Ronald Hubbard, the founder of Scientology – were they to forward the report (particularly the appendix) to Las Vegas. The report has been made available to the Consulate General for use as it sees fit.

The Chief Secretary’s Office has indicated that the report is one of the most comprehensive – and critical – yet published on Scientology, and, as such, has drawn Hubbard’s particular attention. In addition, since the Federal Government in Canberra has recently recognized Scientology as a legitimate religion, the Victorian Government is anxious to avoid becoming enmeshed in a Federal- State controversy over the treatment accorded this organization.

The Department is requested to forward the attached report (and appendix) to the Las Vegas police (Detective J. Rowley, Special Investigator, Police Department, City of Las Vegas, 1301 East Lake Mead Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada) with a covering communication noting that it must be used discreetly, particularly in connection with Appendix 19, which has never been publicly released in Australia.