'Parasite': Belle Gibson 'deliberately played' Australian public, judge rules

Fake cancer guru Belle Gibson, who is facing a possible $1 million fine after being found by a Federal Court judge to have "deliberately played" the Australian public, has been caught spruiking another fad diet and bragging about intestinal worms.

Days after Gibson bragged about passing a "huge rope worm" in an enema she took for an obscure cleansing diet, Federal Court of Australia Justice Debra Mortimer handed down her judgment upholding "most but not all" of the allegations levelled against the disgraced wellness blogger by Victoria's consumer watchdog.

In Wednesday's ruling, Justice Mortimer was particularly scathing of Gibson's deliberate tugging at the nation's collective heartstrings.

"Her 'pitch' overwhelmingly used groups likely to evoke sympathy because of their vulnerabilities – young girls, asylum seekers, sick children," Justice Mortimer wrote.

"The use of a seriously ill child, in this way is particularly unconscionable.

"In securing this public profile, and the financial and personal benefits which came with it for herself and her company, Ms Gibson deliberately played on the genuine desire of members of the Australian community to help those less fortunate."

Gibson faces a fine of more than $1 million, though Justice Mortimer did not impose a penalty on Wednesday. That will be decided upon at a court date which has yet to be fixed.

Consumer Affairs Victoria launched legal action against Ms Gibson last May, alleging false and misleading conduct in relation to her health and unlawful fundraising appeals in 2013 and 2014.

"I am satisfied the respondents engaged in conduct that was misleading or deceptive," Justice Mortimer found in relation to Gibson's charity claims.

The action was sparked after Gibson made false claims of beating terminal brain cancer by eschewing conventional medicine.

The watchdog accused her of engaging in misleading or deceptive commerce by making the claims to promote her app and book, The Whole Pantry.

Gibson was also exposed for failing to hand over the donations and lying about giving $300,000 away to charity.

Earlier this week, under her longtime Facebook pseudonym Harry Gibson, Gibson posted on the Facebook page of the Master Fast System – a diet which espouses new age fasting and cleansing – about her recent bowel movements.

The MFS page encourages members to share "how to clean our pipes like plumbers" and that it's "not bound by any man made paper and/or laws" and is "based on Master Lui-Gino's understanding of Space Plasma Technology, Nature and many amazing brilliant teachers".

In a post on the page, since taken down, Gibson stated that she was on Day 10 of her fast, involving taking "tinctures", doing yoga and a session "with my very powerful and divine shiatsu practitioner".

Gibson talks about having a colonic irrigation, and expelling a 15cm parasite, followed by "A HUGE ROPE WORM", saying "it ruined my day almost not to be able to get this on video. Baha.'

"It was coiled around itself like a spiral about 5 or more times, and it took up the width of the tube, so based on this math, I'm guessing it was at least 60cm (at minimum!!).

"I felt such HUGE relief and was floating all day afterwards."

Later in the post, Gibson says that the diet had prevented two of her teeth from needing fillings, saving $400 in dental work.

"These two teeth were going translucent at the sides and about 40% of the surface area and indentations were dark. Not now!!" she said.

Gibson also boasts that her tonsils are now "about 30% smaller" and also that her hazel eyes are changing colour to "green with blue underneath".

She says the fast had "saved my life and shown me what happiness and health looks and feels like. I feel so blessed. Thank you".

Despite Gibson's post since being taken down from the Master Fast System Facebook page, publicity about it drew Australian posters, some of whom wanted to find out more.