Ms Moore concludes 'Churches don't receive special treatment'. This is Outright Denial.

Max Wallace , you are a polite Person.

Over the past 30 years the rapid rise of 'Church' owned Retail Charities has resulted in the loss of many thousands of small Australian business'.

Most of these employed only one or two people but not only did they become unemployed , they lost their business , which would have been their 'Superannuation"

How did they lose ?

The Opposition paid no taxes , got grants , free labour through 'Work for the Dole' and ' Community Service' orders.

They are also able to pay their staff by taking advantage of special Tax arangments for themselves and their paid Employees.

Those 'retail' organisations are just another business and should be treated accordingly

Aspley,
The problem with that argument is that not al those charity shops are church owned. Many are nothing to do with churches.

Nor are they "just another business", as unlike other businesses they are set up to raise funds for a community purpose.

However I think you're right about the Work for the Dole scheme being the reason why there are so many of them. I'm wondering how many of the "lost" businesses would still be there if the government had decided to prioritise getting people into real work instead.

The kind of crazy that Runner brings to this forum is a sight to behold. Someone check to see if he has a safe return badge on.

@progressive pat "members of the Danish National Church pay an additional 0.4% to 1.5% church tax. The rate depends on the municipality. While the church is a state institution, the church tax does not count toward the maximum 59% marginal tax, and one can be exempted from paying this tax by opting out of being a member of the state church."

Which is not something we can do here, I pay more tax and the government gives it to religious groups. I wonder how much the pastors of these churches are being paid?

Get a grip JohnBenettsalloneword. I was referring to all organisations receiving tax breaks who are acting outside their core business, religion or charity, by sticking their noses into politics. That is why I singled out the Uniting Church and the Anglican Church, which are both serial meddlers in public policy. They do not seem aware that church and state are separate in Australia. It's OK for individuals to form ideas based on their religious beliefs, but not organisations gouging taxpayers' money. I don't take kindly to stupid questions - brighten up.

ttbn,
Separation of church and state does not mean the state should curtail the activities of churches. Speaking out against evil wherever they encounter it is part of churches' core business; they are inherently political even though they are not party political.

If churches are getting taxpayers' money, it's because the government has contracted them to provide a service. I for one would prefer it if the government provided the service themselves, but that idea doesn't seem to appeal to those on the right.