And the sector is expanding so rapidly that $31 billion a year is now being drawn out of the federal Budget in tax exemptions to the ever-growing list of groups claiming church and charity status.
The push to put not-for-profit groups under greater fiscal scrutiny comes amid revelations that senior pastors of the Hillsong mega-church and their families are enjoying lavish lifestyles virtually tax-free.
Critics say Hillsong - which makes millions by routinely demanding its followers hand over at least 10 per cent of their salaries for the church coffers - exploits tax exemptions designed to help small, struggling churches.
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal that Hillsong founder Brian Houston uses a not-for-profit company - Leadership Ministries Inc (LMI) - to fund a burgeoning, tax-free global preaching empire.
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Source: Adam Shand, Sunday Herald Sun
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