I'd love to move to NZ, but the impossible point system makes it unrealistic unless you marry in.

Not being surrounded by uber-religious people all the time was one of my favorite things about being in New Zealand. I miss it so much. Wishing you luck!

Yes...IMO churches should pay property taxes just like any other property owner. Pay income taxes on the money they collect...pay sales taxes on the stuff they buy....tax the salaries of the clergy...

Yet another reason to swim the trench.

If that happens, hopefully AUS follows suit.

At least in the US, if we tax one non-profit we would have to tax them all (at least as I understand it) and that could hurt non-religious organizations. There would also be to many loop holes allowing big churches to avoid taxes. There are also constitutional issues with free exercise of relgion. I am no expert on the matter.