Founded by science fiction writer, L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology is secretive about its practices, and famously litigious.

Members are strongly discouraged from speaking about it to outsiders, and punished if found to have done so.

Scientology was banned in three states of Australia for some time, but the organisation continues to attract members.

Steve Cannane is the ABC's European Correspondent. His first stories on Scientology were for ABC TV's Lateline.

During the past four years he's spoken with more than 200 former members of the church, and compiled a substantial expose of Scientology's operations in Australia.

Steve says the church's operations in the West have been decimated by the internet.

Further information

Fair Game - the Incredible Untold Story of Scientology in Australia is published by Harper Collins