Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has used parliamentary privilege to accuse Hillsong church of breaking financial laws in Australia and around the world relating to "fraud, money laundering and tax evasion".
Key points:
- Independent MP Andrew Wilkie alleged Hillsong broke financial laws in Australia and around the world
- Mr Wilkie claimed the church money was spent on ‘the kind of shopping that would embarrass a Kardashian’
- Hillsong disputed the allegations, labelling them as ‘out-of-context’ or false
Mr Wilkie claimed tens of thousands of leaked financial records and documents — including credit card statements, details of designer gifts and the use of private jets — show a misuse of church funds and lavish spending.
The Tasmanian MP said some of the documents show former leader Brian Houston — who stepped down from the role last year — was "treating private jets like Ubers" and used church money for various trips costing a total of $179,000 in one three-month period.
Standing next to two large stacks of folders of documents, Mr Wilkie claimed there were details of four members of the Houston family and their friends spending $150,000 of church money on a luxury retreat in Cancun, Mexico in 2021.
Mr Wilkie also alleged the new head of Hillsong, Phil Dooley, had spent tens of thousands of dollars on business-class flights for him and his daughter.
Mr Wilkie claimed that church donations were also used to pay more than a million dollars a year in royalties to Hillsong musicians like Brian Houston's son, Joel.
"Hillsong followers believe that the money they put in the poor box goes to the poor, but these documents show how that money is actually used to do the kind of shopping that would embarrass a Kardashian," Mr Wilkie detailed in the parliament's Federation Chamber.
He also said hundreds of thousands of dollars in honorariums were paid to US pastors overseas.
"Sending millions of dollars of Australian charitable donations overseas is illegal in some circumstances," Mr Wilkie said.
Mr Wilkie also alleged that Hillsong earns $80 million more in Australian annual income thatn it reports publicly.
Under parliamentary privilege Mr Wilkie also alleged the leaked financial records and documents were provided to the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission under whistleblower protections, but said they failed to act on the documents.
Mr Wilkie said the lack of regulatory oversight was as alarming as the allegations made against Hillsong.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Hillsong Church disputed the allegations, claiming Mr Wilkie's remarks were out of context and based on "untested allegations" made by an employee in an ongoing legal case.
The spokesperson said the church had been "open and transparent with our congregation about past governance failures, and over the past twelve months we have engaged independent, professional assistance to overhaul our governance and accountability procedures."
"These allegations, made under parliamentary privilege, are in many respects wrong, and it is disappointing he made no effort to contact us first," the spokesperson said.
"If he did so we would have answered his questions and provided him with financial records to address his concerns.
"Hillsong has sought independent legal and accounting advice on these matters since the employee involved in the legal case made these claims, and we believe that we have complied with all legal and compliance requirements.
"We have filed our defence and will provide evidence at the appropriate time. We cannot do so at this stage due to the ongoing legal case … We are fully cooperating with regulatory authorities as part of their enquiries."
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIzLTAzLTEwL2ZlZGVyYWwtbXAtYWNjdXNlcy1oaWxsc29uZy1tb25leS1sYXVuZGVyaW5nLXRheC1ldmFzaW9uLzEwMjA3NzA4MNIBKGh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMDIwNzcwODA?oc=5
2023-03-09 13:50:02Z
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