An academy run by Scott Morrison’s former pastor has been given taxpayer money

Scott Morrison’s former pastor Michael Murphy is chairman of an academy which has been given millions of dollars by the NSW government.

An academy that accredits Hillsong church degrees – which is chaired by PM Scott Morrison’s former pastor Mike Murphy – has netted $5 million in government grants and JobKeeper cash to manage the Covid-19 pandemic.

The charity Alphacrucis College has been awarded $2.9m in NSW government cash to improve teacher training in primary and secondary schools in the regions, on top of $2,151,000 that it has so far banked in JobKeeper payments.

This is despite many universities not directly eligible for the wage subsidy.

The charitable 438-strong staff college – whose mission is to “change the world’’ – provides accreditation for courses run by Hillsong’s international leadership college, training thousands of Christian leaders around the world, as well as providing teaching degrees.

Former Hillsong pastor Michael Murphy, the ex-minister of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, with his wife Valery. Picture: James Croucher

In a written reply to ­questions on notice to NSW parliament, the academy’s political liaison officer Nick Jensen ­welcomed the JobKeeper cash boost after a 15 per cent turnover loss, writing “we’re very grateful, particularly in light of ineligibility for a number of other government funding arrangements that exist with universities’’.

The college website hailed NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet’s decision last month to award it $2.9m, stating the cash would fund teacher training across regional NSW.

“The $2.9 million is incredible news, a recognition that new innovations are required to improve our education sector, and that tertiary institutions like Alphacrucis will play a key part going forward,” the website states.

“This would help meet a number of the NSW Premier’s stated priorities around education, economic growth, connected communities and regional development.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison at church with his wife Jenny. Picture: Gary Ramage

“It has demonstrated significant success in addressing a range of Australia’s unique educational problems, including curriculum reform to attract and retain the highest-quality teachers, changing the way teachers enter the profession, addressing the regional ‘brain drain’ and enriching the learning experience for our children.”

College chairman Mr Murphy, an ordained minister in the Australian Christian Churches, was Mr Morrison’s long-time pastor. He retired after 18 years as lead pastor of Shirelive church at Sutherland, which is now known as Horizon Church, where the PM and his family have been devout followers for more than a decade after leaving Hillsong.

Mr Morrison’s current senior pastor at Horizon, Brad Bonhomme, is also listed on the college website as a member of the council.

Mr Murphy once told his congregation: “Every AM, pray for your PM.’’