Why Is Anglicare Sydney Using Taxpayer Funds to Cover Church Abuse Claims?

It's Time for an ACNC Investigation

Australia's aged care sector is in crisis, with underfunded facilities, overworked staff, and vulnerable residents often left behind. But what if some of the money meant to care for our elderly is being used for something else entirely—like covering up the sins of the past?

That's exactly what's been uncovered in a bombshell investigation by journalist Anthony Klan. The Anglican Church Sydney Diocese, one of the country's wealthiest and most powerful religious institutions, has allegedly shifted nearly $40 million in historic child sex abuse liabilities onto Anglicare Sydney—its taxpayer-funded aged care arm.

$40M Abuse liabilities transferred

$248M Annual govt funding received

$7.6M Already paid out in claims

🔍 How Did This Happen?

In 2016, the Sydney Diocese orchestrated a "merger" between two of its entities: Anglican Retirement Villages (ARV) and the Sydney Anglican Home Mission Society (SAHMS). But this wasn't just about "scale" or efficiency. As part of the deal, all of the church's historic child sex abuse liabilities—initially $21.35 million, later ballooning to over $39 million—were transferred to Anglicare Sydney.

Anglicare Sydney is "economically dependent on the Federal Government," receiving hundreds of millions in taxpayer funding every year. In the last financial year alone, it received $248.4 million in government aged care funding—about two-thirds of its total revenue.

⚠️ What's the Problem?

Instead of using this public money solely for the care of elderly Australians, Anglicare Sydney has been quietly paying out millions to cover the church's child sex abuse claims. To date, $7.6 million has already been paid out, with tens of millions more in liabilities sitting on the books.

The Real Scandal

Meanwhile, Anglicare Sydney has been slashing staff, cutting services, and blaming its "dire" financial position on a lack of government funding. But the real story, buried deep in annual reports and never clearly explained to the public, is that a huge chunk of its financial woes comes from these transferred abuse liabilities.

🕵️ Where's the Transparency?

The annual reports don't mention "abuse" or explain why the liabilities suddenly jumped by $19 million in 2019-20. The details are hidden in technical notes and legal jargon, making it almost impossible for the average person—or even a concerned family member of a resident—to understand what's really going on.

👔 Who's Responsible?

This scheme was reportedly overseen by senior church officials, including former Archbishop Glenn Davies, and involved indemnities granted to SAHMS for all "actual and contingent" liabilities, including those related to child abuse. Despite repeated requests for comment, Anglicare Sydney's management and board have refused to answer questions.

💭 Why Should We Care?

This is about more than just money. It's about trust, transparency, and the proper use of public funds. Taxpayer dollars meant for the care of our most vulnerable citizens should not be used to shield powerful institutions from the consequences of their own actions.

🚨 It's Time for an ACNC Investigation

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is supposed to ensure that charities operate transparently and in the public interest. The allegations against Anglicare Sydney and the Anglican Church Sydney Diocese demand urgent investigation.

Are other religious aged care providers doing the same thing? How many millions in public funds are being diverted from care to cover up the past? The public deserves answers.

Report to ACNC

📢 What Can You Do?

If you care about transparency, accountability, and the proper use of taxpayer money, demand action. Contact the ACNC and call for a full investigation into Anglicare Sydney and the Anglican Church Sydney Diocese. Our elderly—and the survivors of abuse—deserve better.

📚 Sources

The Klaxon, March 27, 2022, "Anglican Church shifts $40m child sex bill onto taxpayers" by Anthony Klan.

Editor's Note: Following the publication of this story, we have submitted a formal complaint to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). Our complaint details concerns about the alleged misuse of taxpayer-funded aged care resources by Anglicare Sydney to cover historic child sexual abuse liabilities of the Anglican Church Sydney Diocese. We have requested the ACNC investigate whether this conduct breaches charity law, governance standards, and the proper use of public funds.