The group claims that the principal of organised labour is against the teachings of Christianity and this is where they benefit from the Government's IR laws, which contain a clause which says that religious groups who have a theological opposition to unions can ban them from their workplaces, even if not all employees share this belief.

The Brethren are the only religious group in Australia who hold such a belief so no other group could benefit from the exemption but them.

The clause states that any group holding this particular religious conviction is exempt from union right-of-entry laws.

Previously unions could only be prevented from accessing a workplace if all employees agreed to block them but this condition has now been removed.

The sect also receives $2.4 million a year from federal and state governments in the form of grants for its 13 education centres, including the MET school in Meadowbank, located in Prime Minister John Howard's Sydney electorate of Bennelong.

Many of the Brethren's business interests are also tax exempt on religious grounds.

So, no union representation for you if you work for these loons and a nice example of how they rort the government through dubious schools.

Fortunately, Bob Brown is standing up to this bunch of corrupt businessmen, who are hiding behind the banner of religion, and is looking to give them a thorough going over.

The Greens' Federal Senator representing Tasmania, Bob Brown has now called for a Senate Inquiry into the group's political and financial activities as well as the IR law exemptions.

The inquiry would be the first ever in the history of Australia to examine the activities of a religious group.

Sects, lies & IR laws - The Pink Broad, 4th July 2006.