The Australian charity watchdog is investigating allegations against the Hillsong church of fraud, money laundering and tax evasion to fund lavish trips and lifestyles.
to claim tens of thousands of leaked financial records and documents show misuse of church funds.
Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit commissioner Sue Woodward released a statement on Friday saying that while the watchdog rarely commented on matters under investigation, she wished to correct the record after Wilkie claimed in parliament that her organisation, which has oversight of the not-for-profit sector, was not looking into the matter.
“Sending millions of dollars of Australian charitable donations overseas is illegal in some circumstances,” he said. Education Minister Jason Clare said it was important the serious allegations were examined by those two bodies and the charities watchdog.“If you are a member of the congregation and you’ve made donations to the church, then you’d be legitimately worried about where your money has gone here,” Mr Clare told Seven’sThe security and investments commission says it is not responsible for regulating Hillsong as it is a registered charity.
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