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.
Senator Brown also noted the Senate Standing Orders state that inflicting a punishment, or depriving a senator of any benefit on account of the senator's performance of their duties may be treated as contempts.
"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.
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