Hillsong

Andrew Wilkie claimed leaked documents show the church made $53 million more than it reported.

In addition to accusations of financial crimes, Hillsong [has been criticized](https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/hillsong-celeb-filled-instagram-friendly-church-new-face-evangelicalism-n971526) for its [opposition to](https://hillsong.com/collected/blog/2015/08/do-i-love-gay-people/#.ZAogfOzP0TU) same-sex marriage and gay people serving in the church, and for its handling of [sexual assault accusations](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/05/hillsong-founder-pastor-brian-houston-sydney-court-trial). He [pled not guilty in 2022](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/30/hillsong-founder-brian-houston-steps-down-as-leader-of-church) before resigning his chairmanship of the Hillsong board. [Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/09/hillsong-accused-of-money-laundering-and-tax-evasion-by-mp-under-parliamentary-privilege). [affected the church’s popularity](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/us/hillsong-church-scandals.html), and some of its high-profile members, like pop star Justin Bieber, have [left the flock](https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2021/04/justin-bieber-gq-cover-story-religion-pastors-celebrity-worship-hillsong-carl-lentz#:~:text=After%20making%20it%20clear%20at,own%20fame%20and%20name%20recognition.). [Sydney Morning Herald](https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/hillsong-accused-of-misusing-church-funds-to-pay-for-private-jets-luxury-retreats-20230309-p5cqri.html). The Hillsong megachurch, by the numbers: [30:](https://hillsong.com/fact-sheet/) Countries in which Hillsong is present. Formed in Australia in 1983, Hillsong has since become one of the world’s largest religious organizations [nearly 20,000:](https://hillsong.com/fact-sheet/) Graduates of Hillsong College leadership and ministry courses [150,000:](https://hillsong.com/fact-sheet/) Weekly worshippers attending Hillsong services around the world [10 million:](https://open.spotify.com/artist/3SgHzT552wy2W8pNLaLk24?si=9c0FKUiCRlWua8cpURybng) The combined number of monthly streams on Spotify by Hillsong’s musical acts, Hillsong Worship and Hillsong United. The MP made the declarations under [parliamentary privilege](https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/Brief_Guides_to_Senate_Procedure/No_20#:~:text=The%20term%20%E2%80%9Cparliamentary%20privilege%E2%80%9D%20refers,the%20power%20to%20punish%20contempts.), which allows lawmakers to read confidential documents into the official record without fear of legal action. [$20 offMAR10 Day - Save on Mario Games for Nintendo Switch](https://howl.me/cjgLe6a52f9) The Hillsong megachurch was accused of financial misconduct by a member of the Australian parliament on Thursday (Mar. 9, as quoted in the Wilkies also accused Australian tax authorities of being aware of the documents and refusing to act.

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has tabled leaked documents that he alleges show how Hillsong Church committed “fraud, money laundering and tax evasion” across ...

[Share](mailto:?subject=We’ve got enough problems.&body=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/post/max-opray/2023/03/10/wilkie-alleges-hillsong-sins#post-quote) [Share](mailto:?subject= Postscript: WWE in talks with state gambling regulators to legalise betting on scripted match results&body=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/post/max-opray/2023/03/10/wilkie-alleges-hillsong-sins#post-ps) [Share](mailto:?subject=Robo-debt hearings wrap up&body=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/post/max-opray/2023/03/10/wilkie-alleges-hillsong-sins#post-2) [Share](mailto:?subject= Wilkie alleges Hillsong sins&body=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/post/max-opray/2023/03/10/wilkie-alleges-hillsong-sins#post-1) Allowing gambling on certain WWE matches would alter how matches are produced – and how storylines are created. [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/09/got-enough-problems-peter-dutton-conspicuously-absent-from-coalitions-nsw-election-campaign)). [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/09/australia-four-day-work-week-labor-greens-senators-support)). discussions in the coming period.” [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/09/dawn-start-pageantry-and-lap-of-honour-modi-serves-up-irregular-day-of-test-cricket)). [The Politics](https://www.themonthly.com.au/the-politics/rachel-withers/2023/03/09/deal-and-no-deal)). [The New Daily](https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2023/03/09/hillsong-finances-leak-link-parliament/)); [Crikey](https://www.crikey.com.au/2023/03/09/andrew-wilkie-hillsong-whistleblower-documents/));

The leader of one of Australia's largest Pentecostal churches has been accused in Parliament of money laundering and tax evasion.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Mr Robert or that he would favour one denomination over another or was involved at all in the accreditation change. The influence of the church on politics and government became the subject of intense scrutiny during the leadership of former PM Scott Morrison, who in 2019 failed in an attempt to bring Mr Houston to an official state dinner at the White House after the request was vetoed. “The claims made in federal Parliament by Mr Andrew Wilkie are out of context and relate to untested allegations made by an employee,” the spokesman said. Another close friend of Mr Morrison’s from Hillsong was found in 2020 to be running a consulting business that had won tens of millions in [Mr Wilkie’s claims,](https://thenewdaily.com.au/religion/2022/01/30/hillsong-leader-charge/) but says it is committed to reform since the exit of Mr Houston in awkward circumstances. [also claims that some members of the church’s leadership group simply gave large tax-free](https://www.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Statement-of-Claim-Natalie-Moses.pdf) sums to Mr Houston. Filings show that Hillsong had 10 charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission in 2020, and that they forecast revenue of up to $150 million between them. Mr Wilkie’s central claim is that the church under-reported its income by some tens of millions of dollars in an alleged tax fraud. Mr Wilkie claims the leaked documents show “criminality” on the part of the church, but in an extraordinary development the long-time Tasmanian MP and former intelligence analyst declared that the tax office had declined to act on documentary evidence proving Church members’ money had been “used to do the kind of shopping that would embarrass a Kardashian,” the Mr Houston, he alleged, has a private jet habit that drives him to charter planes even for short distances, while he says members of the family that founded the church lived the high life and spent church funds on a $150,000 holiday in Cancun. Mr Houston resigned from the church in March 2022 after an internal investigation found he engaged in inappropriate conduct of “serious concern” with two women.

Hillsong has been accused of committing fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. These fraud accusations come from the MP Andrew Wilkie.

[Barbara Pocock](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/labor-pushed-on-fourday-week-with-full-pay/news-story/8fa1d5db58082fe1016d71a19addeff8), a Greens Senator and head of said committee. [Bravehearts](https://bravehearts.org.au/) — an organisation providing support to victims of child abuse. This is because they have delivered a pilot programme that allows volunteer groups to “adopt” a refugee family. This is because Hillsong has been [accused](https://thelatch.com.au/what-happened-to-aaron-carter/) of committing “fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion.” [The Latch](https://thelatch.com.au/) and subscribe to our [email newsletter](https://thelatch.com.au/subscribe). Additionally, this recommendation has been backed by both Labor and the Greens. In response to these claims, Hillsong has stated, “The claims made in federal Parliament by Mr Andrew Wilkie are out of context and relate to untested allegations made by an employee in an ongoing legal case. If we were to dive into all of Wilkie’s allegations, we’d be here for a very hot minute. These volunteer groups help their refugee fams get settled in Australia. [Ubers](https://thelatch.com.au/nsw-nurses-strike/)“. [child abuse](https://thelatch.com.au/romeo-and-juliet-1968/) that his father committed. [Jesus Christ](https://thelatch.com.au/easter-public-holidays-2021/).

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has used parliamentary privilege to accuse the Hillsong church of fraud, money laundering and...

"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." In response to the allegations, a Hillsong statement said they were made under parliamentary privilege and were "in many respects wrong" and it was disappointing Mr Wilkie made no effort to contact the church first. "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 said in parliament's Federation Chamber.

Documents presented to Parliament by independent MP Andrew Wilkie reveal how, and how much, money flows through the Hillsong megachurch.

The churches are mostly in the USA. The Hillsong money machine is further stoked by its music royalties and fees for college tuition. There are two kinds of Hillsong churches: the fully-fledged churches owned and operated by Hillsong, and a second category known as Hillsong family churches. The amount is capped at $100,000 per church. Hillsong attenders pay 10% of their gross income — a form of church tax that Hillsong and others say has a biblical underpinning. Beyond registrations, it draws income from sales of books, DVDs and merchandise produced by Hillsong founders Brian and Bobbie Houston as well as visiting celebrity pastors.

The leader of one of Australia's largest Pentecostal churches has been accused in Parliament of money laundering and tax evasion.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Mr Robert or that he would favour one denomination over another or was involved at all in the accreditation change. The influence of the church on politics and government became the subject of intense scrutiny during the leadership of former PM Scott Morrison, who in 2019 failed in an attempt to bring Mr Houston to an official state dinner at the White House after the request was vetoed. “The claims made in federal Parliament by Mr Andrew Wilkie are out of context and relate to untested allegations made by an employee,” the spokesman said. Another close friend of Mr Morrison’s from Hillsong was found in 2020 to be running a consulting business that had won tens of millions in [Mr Wilkie’s claims,](https://thenewdaily.com.au/religion/2022/01/30/hillsong-leader-charge/) but says it is committed to reform since the exit of Mr Houston in awkward circumstances. [also claims that some members of the church’s leadership group simply gave large tax-free](https://www.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Statement-of-Claim-Natalie-Moses.pdf) sums to Mr Houston. Filings show that Hillsong had 10 charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission in 2020, and that they forecast revenue of up to $150 million between them. Mr Wilkie’s central claim is that the church under-reported its income by some tens of millions of dollars in an alleged tax fraud. Mr Wilkie claims the leaked documents show “criminality” on the part of the church, but in an extraordinary development the long-time Tasmanian MP and former intelligence analyst declared that the tax office had declined to act on documentary evidence proving Church members’ money had been “used to do the kind of shopping that would embarrass a Kardashian,” the Mr Houston, he alleged, has a private jet habit that drives him to charter planes even for short distances, while he says members of the family that founded the church lived the high life and spent church funds on a $150,000 holiday in Cancun. Mr Houston resigned from the church in March 2022 after an internal investigation found he engaged in inappropriate conduct of “serious concern” with two women.

Australia's charities watchdog is expected to review allegations of tax evasion and money laundering levelled against Hillsong church.

It said it was disappointed that Mr Wilkie made no effort to contact the church first. On Thursday, he said the nature of the allegations and “the nature of the response from the church” seemed like “the sort of thing that the tax office needs to take seriously”. “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 said in parliament’s Federation Chamber. “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,” he said. “The claims that were made in federal parliament by Mr Andrew Wilkie are out of context and untested allegations made by an employee in a legal case.” “We are a different church than what we were 12 months ago and we are under a new pastoral board leadership,” the church said in a statement.

The embattled Church is accused of using tax-exempt income unlawfully and misleading donors about the use of their funds.

[Sonia Hickey](https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/author/sonia-hickey/)is a freelance writer, magazine journalist, and owner of 'Woman with Words'. She has a strong interest in social justice and is a member of the [Sydney Criminal Lawyers®](https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au)content team. A number of women have also made allegations in recent times of being sexually assaulted by members of the Church community. It is possibly a reason why Australians are walking away from organised religion in droves. [type of fraud,](https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/cases-that-fall-under-the-legal-definition-of-fraud-in-nsw/) as well as money laundering and [tax evasion](https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/what-are-the-penalties-for-tax-fraud-in-australia/). [he had engaged in inappropriate behaviour with two women](https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/hillsong-church-admits-founders-indiscretions/). [pleaded not guilty to concealing his father’s offence](https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/hillsong-pastor-brian-houston-charged-with-concealing-a-child-sexual-offence/) and will defend the charge primarily on the grounds he had a [“reasonable excuse”](http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ca190082/s316.html) not to report the crime. [In statements to the media, ASIC](https://apple.news/AGYaB31U6STOcsc9weZ8YnQ) pointed out that as a registered charity, Hillsong is regulated by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), not by ASIC. [parliamentary privilege.](https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/derryn-hinch-uses-parliamentary-privilege-to-shame-sex-offenders/) [Downing Centre Local Court](https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/downing-centre-local-court/) later this year. [Hillsong Church Accused of Financial Crimes](https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/hillsong-church-accused-of-financial-crimes/) The beleaguered Hillsong Church is under fire again, this time facing allegations of misusing funds in conduct that has the potential to amount to obtaining a benefit by deception – which is a

Claims of fraud, money laundering and tax evasion against Hillsong Church are being investigated by the charities watchdog....

"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 we have complied with all legal and compliance requirements." In response to the allegations, a Hillsong statement said they were made under parliamentary privilege and were "in many respects wrong" and it was disappointing Mr Wilkie made no effort to contact the church first. Hillsong disputes the claims, saying Mr Wilkie's remarks were out of context and based on "untested allegations" made by an employee in an ongoing legal case.

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission has confirmed it is investigating concerns raised about Hillsong Church.

Hillsong has stated publicly that it is fully cooperating with regulatory authorities,” Ms Woodward said. The ACNC is not an eligible recipient and we are not able to provide protection,” she said. They can be complex and take time to complete.”

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege to claim financial records and documents show misuse of church funds.

They can be complex and take time to complete.” In response, a Hillsong statement said the allegations were made under parliamentary privilege and were “in many respects wrong” and it was disappointing Mr Wilkie made no effort to contact the church first. “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.” “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,” Wilkie said in parliament’s Federation Chamber. Any investigation we undertake must be thorough, comprehensive and consistent with our approach to all investigations. “Anyone can raise a concern about a charity with the ACNC,” Woodward said.

Documents tabled by MP Andrew Wilkie claim to show church used jobkeeper funds to help purchase Melbourne's Festival Hall.

That allegation refers to a purported email in August 2020 from Hillsong’s treasurer to other financial executives at the church, regarding Festival Hall. “Anyone can raise a concern about a charity with the ACNC,” Woodward said. Asic said it was a matter for the ACNC, while the ATO said it could not comment on the tax affairs of any individual or entity. But she also added the ACNC had not received a whistleblower disclosure on the documents, noting the charities commission was not actually able to provide whistleblower protections. Hillsong has disputed the allegations, claiming many of Wilkie’s representations were false or out of context, and that it was engaging with regulators as part of an ongoing legal case. “Hillsong has stated publicly that it is fully cooperating with regulatory authorities.”