Hillsong Church Launches Independent Financial Review After Whistleblower, Australian MP Allege Misuse of Funds in Sydney, Australia

Hillsong Church global senior pastor Phil Dooley apologized on March 12 and said the church will launch an independent review of its financial structure and systems. The review follows accusations by a government official that founder Brian Houston misused funds and engaged in lavish spending.

The allegations were first raised in the Australian parliament on March 9 by Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie. Wilkie said someone had leaked documents to him showing that Hillsong had broken financial laws relating to fraud, money laundering and tax evasion, including earning $80 million more income than it reported. Wilkie also criticized Dooley, who succeeded Houston as head of the church last March, for using church funds on business class flights and gifts.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the materials include 17 binders of documents, among them a 42-page whistleblower disclosure statement that details lavish spending on private jets, lavish vacations, designer goods and custom skateboards. Wilkie said church money was used “to do the kind of shopping that would embarrass a Kardashian” and that Houston “treated private jets like Ubers.”

Houston is currently involved in another legal case, which alleges that he knew about and covered up past sexual abuse of boys by his father, Frank Houston. The church has also faced multiple accusations of mishandled funds, as well as leadership and financial scandals at its branches in the United States. In September 2021, Houston announced he was stepping down from church boards. He began a year-long sabbatical in early 2022 as part of disciplinary action for moral indiscretions and fully resigned as global senior pastor of Hillsong Church in March 2022.

Dooley said that, in response to the allegations, a forensic audit had been conducted by Grant Thornton and that the church was engaging a third-party group to re-evaluate its financial structure and systems “to ensure they line up with the mission going forward.” Honest dealing with church resources is part of that effort (Proverbs 11:1). He also said the church had implemented a new gifts and honorariums policy and had downsized 153 staff members through voluntary payouts over the past year, reducing costs by more than $10 million.

Dooley said he travels business class on work trips because he has limited time, and that he was disappointed Wilkie did not contact him at the church before criticizing him publicly. “It kind of feels like being king hit from behind. But Jesus loves you Mr. Wilkie … Mr. Wilkie, you’re still welcome to attend any of our services,” he said.

Source: Read the original report