Hillsong rejects Indigenous grant spending claims

An evangelical church’s charitable arm has rejected claims it has not been transparent in spending a Federal Government grant to help Indigenous business.

The Federal Opposition has claimed the bulk of a $600,000 micro-credit program, administered by the group Hillsong Emerge, is being spent on administration and staff.

The Federal Government awarded the grant to the group more than a year ago to set up two enterprise hubs in Sydney’s inner city and west, to encourage business through small loans.

Hillsong spokeswoman Maria Ieroianni says the group has not hidden its work and has been fully accountable to the Federal Government.

“We’ve worked within that framework, we’ve met with them regularly,” he said.

“They’ve had teams come down and see the work first-hand, not only in Sydney but up north as well, so that’s absolute nonsense.

“So, I’d say it’s about politicising issue where it’s a community organisation.”

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