The Secular Party accepts that some of the activities of religious organisations may be charitable, however we object to ‘the advancement of religion’, as such, in the definition of charitable purpose. Its inclusion is unduly broad, inequitable, anachronistic (dating from medieval times), and gives rise to several glaring anomalies.
In our submission we provide detailed estimates of the revenue and assets of churches and of the cost to taxpayers of the tax concessions and subsidies that are afforded to religious organizations. We submit that the current Review provides an opportunity for a modern approach to the definition of charitable purpose to be implemented.
Read the full Secular Party submission
Oct 13, 2008