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Unbiased MP Andrew Wilkie has accused Hillsong of utilizing church funds for buying that “would embarrass a Kardashian” and “treating personal jets like Ubers”.
Mr Wilkie has tabled paperwork in federal parliament that he stated confirmed examples of fraud, cash laundering and tax evasion on the Sydney-based church.
Utilizing parliamentary privilege, Mr Wilkie accused Hillsong Church of “criminality” as he outlined costly journeys and luxurious purchases.
He additionally stated the Pentecostal church earned $80 million extra in Australian annual earnings than it reported publicly.
Mr Wilkie pointed the finger on the Australian Tax Workplace, the Australian Securities and Funding Fee and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Fee for not appearing after they got the paperwork.
“That could be a failure of regulatory oversight each bit as alarming as Hillsong’s criminality,” he stated.
The unique church was established by Brian Houston and his spouse Bobbie in 1983.
Mr Wilkie stated a whistle blower had supplied him with the church’s monetary information and board papers.
He stated that whereas members of the congregation thought the cash was going to the “poor field”, massive quantities had been being spent by members of the church.
Mr Wilkie stated in 2021, 4 members of the Houston household spent three days at a luxurious retreat in Cancun Mexico utilizing $150,000 of Church cash.
“These paperwork present former chief Brian Houston treating personal jets like Ubers, once more all with church cash,” he advised parliament.
“For instance, in a single three-month interval Brian Houston’s journeys price $55,000, $52,000, $30,000, $22,000 and $2000,” he advised parliament.
“In the meantime, the brand new head of Hillsong, Phil Dooley, has advised churchgoers he solely flies financial system.
“However these paperwork present him clocking up $58,000 in enterprise class flights for him and his daughter to Guatemala, $42,000 in enterprise class flights to Mexico and $32,000 in enterprise class flights from Capetown to Sydney by way of the US.”
Mr Wilkie listed a string of luxurious purchases he stated would put actuality TV stars the Kardashians to disgrace.
“For instance, $6500 Cartier look ahead to Bobbie Houston, $2500 for Louis Vuitton baggage, a $2500 look ahead to Phil Dooley, two watches price $15,000 for Joel and Julia A’Bell, buying sprees for designer garments at Saks Fifth Avenue and even $16,000 for customized skateboards.
“Hillsong followers imagine the cash they put within the poor field goes to the poor, however these paperwork present how that cash is used to do the form of buying that may embarrass a Kardashian.”
Final 12 months founder Brian Houston pleaded not guilty to charges of concealing his father’s abuse of a young boy in 1970.
Hillsong Church was contacted for a response.
