The charities watchdog will review allegations made in parliament that Hillsong church misused the donations of its members.
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has used parliamentary privilege to accuse Hillsong church of breaking financial laws in Australia and around the world relating to "fraud, money laundering and tax evasion".
Mr Wilkie claimed tens of thousands of leaked financial records and documents — including credit card statements, details of designer gifts and the use of private jets — show a misuse of church funds and lavish spending.
The Tasmanian MP said some of the documents show former leader Brian Houston — who stepped down from the role last year — was "treating private jets like Ubers" and used church money for various trips costing a total of $179,000 in one three-month period.
The Charities and Not-for-profits Commission confirmed on Friday afternoon it would investigate the allegations.
"Hillsong has stated publicly that it is fully cooperating with regulatory authorities,” ACNC commissioner Sue Woodward AM said.
Jason Clare, who sits in cabinet, told Channel 7 the allegations were serious and should be looked at.
"From the nature of the allegations that have been put before the parliament today — and the nature of the response from the church — it seems like the sort of thing that the tax office needs to take seriously," Mr Clare said.
The Australian Tax Office told the ABC they were unable to comment.
Standing next to two large stacks of folders of documents, Mr Wilkie claimed there were details of four members of the Houston family and their friends spending $150,000 of church money on a luxury retreat in Cancun, Mexico in 2021.
Mr Wilkie also alleged the new head of Hillsong, Phil Dooley, had spent tens of thousands of dollars on business-class flights for him and his daughter.
Mr Wilkie claimed that church donations were also used to pay more than a million dollars a year in royalties to Hillsong musicians like Brian Houston's son, Joel.
"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 detailed in the parliament's Federation Chamber.
He also said hundreds of thousands of dollars in honorariums were paid to US pastors overseas.
"Sending millions of dollars of Australian charitable donations overseas is illegal in some circumstances," Mr Wilkie said.
Mr Wilkie also alleged that Hillsong earns $80 million more in Australian annual income than it reports publicly.
Under parliamentary privilege Mr Wilkie also alleged the leaked financial records and documents were provided to the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission under whistleblower protections, but said they failed to act on the documents.
Mr Wilkie said the lack of regulatory oversight was as alarming as the allegations made against Hillsong.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Hillsong Church disputed the allegations, claiming Mr Wilkie's remarks were out of context and based on "untested allegations" made by an employee in an ongoing legal case.
The spokesperson said the church had been "open and transparent with our congregation about past governance failures, and over the past twelve months we have engaged independent, professional assistance to overhaul our governance and accountability procedures."
"These allegations, made under parliamentary privilege, are in many respects wrong, and it is disappointing he made no effort to contact us first," the spokesperson said.
"If he did so we would have answered his questions and provided him with financial records to address his concerns.
"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.
"We have filed our defence and will provide evidence at the appropriate time. We cannot do so at this stage due to the ongoing legal case … We are fully cooperating with regulatory authorities as part of their enquiries."
