By Rod Benson
Motivated by stories of alleged criminal behaviour by members of the Church of Scientology, South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon is on a mission to end the cult’s tax exempt status. Senator Xenophon has introduced a bill to amend tax laws to require that religious and charitable institutions meet a new public benefit text to justify their tax exempt status.
But in my opinion, allegations of criminal behaviour should be referred to police rather than addressed by radical tax reform legislation, and we already have courts and tribunals to determine whether an organisation is acting for the public benefit. And Senator Xenophon’s bill, while well intended, may have serious implications for legitimate religious charities doing excellent work with limited funds.
At the very least, the changes proposed by Senator Xenophon deserve wide public debate and careful refinement before being locked into law.
Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 13 June 2010.
