Former members of the Church of Scientology have told a Senate committee of the ''ruthlessness'' of the church and its judicial system, and argued it should not be eligible for tax-free status.

''Australian taxpayers should not be funding systematic, organised abuse,'' said Janette Vonthehoff, who said her passport was taken from her and she was forcibly prevented from returning to Australia from the US when eight weeks' pregnant because the organisation ordered she must finish ''training''.

Louise McBride ... defending Scientology. Credit:Sahlan Hayes

Ms Vonthehoff said she resigned from the organisation in 2007 because of bullying, two coerced abortions and Scientology justice proceedings which included its own court hearings.

A Sydney tax lawyer and social identity, Louise McBride, defended the group and clashed with the independent senator Nick Xenophon during the hearing.