Hillsong cuts personal credit card use after fraud allegations

The tax office is under pressure to release its findings into Christian megachurch Hillsong after a “pathetic” response from the national charities watchdog.

The tax office is under pressure to release its findings into Christian megachurch Hillsong after a “pathetic” response from the national charities watchdog into claims of financial fraud.

Independent Federal MP Andrew Wilkie has demanded the Australian Taxation Office finalise its probe into the church, which was accused of tax rorts in 17,000 documents tabled in Federal Parliament.

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission released a report into its investigation into Hillsong College this month.

Hillsong College agreed to use church credit cards “only for charity” after the documents revealed that the church spent $25,000 on Cartier jewellery, $150,000 on a luxury retreat in Cancun, Mexico, and used “private jets like Ubers”.

Hillsong College was placed under an 18-month “enforceable undertaking” with the ACNC, promising to be transparent about its finances, including internal loans that could be used to avoid tax.

Hillsong founder Brian Houston and his wife Bobbie left the church and started a new ministry. Picture: Instagram

The wider Hillsong Church accepted “compliance agreements”, with the church saying it would “look for other ways to improve our practices”.

Mr Wilkie, who tabled the Hillsong documents in March 2023 that detailed claims Hillsong did not declare $80 million of income, said “the response from the ACNC was pathetic”.

“The commission is effectively saying it will forget about the extraordinary alleged wrongdoing in Hillsong so long as the church promises to be good from now on,” he said.

Andrew Wilkie, right, and a staffer, wheel Hillsong documents into parliament in March 2023. Picture: NewsWire

“The ACNC’s inaction, and that is exactly what this response has the effect of demonstrating, just goes to show that in Australia (the church) can apparently spend a congregation’s donations like a Kardashian and the regulator is powerless to do anything to stop them.”

The ATO probe into Hillsong was first reported 15 months ago amid claims the church had avoided tax by loaning millions of dollars between its international branches.

The documents also claimed that the church misused $15 million in tax deductible donations to purchase Melbourne’s Festival Hall, an iconic music venue where The Beatles played.

The church signed the building over to music promoter Live Nation just weeks after that claim was made. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Live Nation.

Mr Wilkie said the ACNC was a “toothless tiger” and “other authorities must now intervene”.

Carl Lentz, a former Hillsong pastor, with Justin Bieber. Picture: Vanity Fair/FX

“Where is the ATO? Where is AUSTRAC? Because serious allegations have been levelled against Hillsong, and damning material tabled in the Australian Parliament, and all of it apparently remains unscrutinised,” he said.

Hillsong said that the church had been working with the charities watchdog since 2022.

“As part of those inquiries, and to demonstrate our commitment to continuous improvement in governance, Hillsong Church and its ministries have agreed to resolve the inquiries of the ACNC by entering into compliance agreements, and for Hillsong College by providing an undertaking,” the church said.

Lentz with his wife Laura.

Ranin Karim, who says she had an affair with Lentz.

“We recognise that this is an important step to follow the governance improvements which we have set out in our regular church updates. We will continue to work with the ACNC and look for other ways to improve our practices.”

Anna Crenshaw outside court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Hillsong has battled a string of scandals in recent years, with its founder Brian Houston resigning from after an investigation into his dealings with female church members.

Its New York pastor Carl Lentz, who was friends with Justin Bieber, quit in 2020 after it was revealed he had cheated on his Australian-born wife Laura.

The church was this year also sued by former Hillsong College student Anna Crenshaw, who was sexually assaulted by a pastor.

Ms Crenshaw rejected a settlement deal that would have prevented her from speaking publicly, accusing the church of failing to handle her complaint.

An investigative podcast, Faith on Trial, also revealed how students at Hillsong College were interrogated about their sex lives.

Originally published as Hillsong cuts personal credit card use after fraud allegations