A group of vegan activists who had their charity status revoked has compared the regulator responsible to a slave owner.
On Tuesday the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC) revoked the charity registration of 'Vegan Rising'.
This means the group will no longer have charity tax concessions.
Vegan Rising posted on Facebook about the revocation of their registration.
The group claims its status was revoked as veganism was ruled "not in the public interest" and ACNC was concerned over protests being carried out without first warning authorities.
It then compared the ACNC to slave owners.
"Expecting carnists [meat eaters] to critically examine and make a judgment [whether veganism is in the public interest]…is like expecting slave owners from the deep south of America in the 1800s to make a judgment on whether the abolition of slavery was in the public interest," the group said on Facebook.
"All the best to you as representatives of an ever-growing totalitarian state."
In a statement on the regulator's website, Commissioner Dr Gary Johns said it only revokes charity status in the most serious of cases.
"Our approach to regulation focuses on education and guidance first," he said.
"However, when charities are unwilling to comply with their obligations, or fail to demonstrate [a] commitment to their governance, then we will take stronger action."
In April, Vegan Rising brought Melbourne to a standstill during a protest.
The organisation crowded the crucial intersection at Flinders and Swanston streets.
Trams, cars, buses were stopped and ambulances had to be rerouted.
