Sydney  - The Church of Scientology on Wednesday refuted a claim made in the Australian Parliament that it was a "criminal organization" masquerading as a religion to gain tax-exempt status.

The claim, made by independent Member of Parliament Nick Xenophon, was decried as an abuse of parliamentary privilege by Scientology spokeswoman Virginia Stewart, who said Xenophon had refused a briefing.

"We actually have an entire section that responds to people," Stewart said. "So if someone has a complaint about the church, we really are so happy to meet with them."

Xenophon told Parliament that he had passed to police letters from former Scientology followers detailing claims of abuse, false imprisonment and forced abortion. He urged Parliament to withdraw Scientology's tax-exempt status.

"Scientology isn't a religious organization, it's a criminal organization that hides behind its so-called religious beliefs," the senator said.

"Do you want Australian tax exemptions to be supporting an organization that coerces its followers into having abortions? Do you want to be supporting an organization that defrauds, that blackmails, that falsely imprisons?"

In a statement, the organization accused Xenophon of "being pressured by disgruntled former members who use hate speech and distorted accounts of their experiences in the church."

It branded Xenophon's attack as a "propaganda campaign that would suit a totalitarian regime, not Australia, a country that recognizes freedom of religion."

Scientology, which was declared a religion by the High Court in 1983, claims 150,000 members in Australia. It used to boast the membership of billionaire casino operator James Packer, formerly Australia's richest man, but he left last year. (dpa)