The major political parties are unlikely to pursue much-needed reform in the charities sector due to their desire not to upset religious lobbyists and religious organisations, the latest RSA Webinar has heard.

At Wednesday’s webinar, David Hardaker, investigative journalist and author of the new book, Mine is the Kingdom, spoke about how charities had been central to Hillsong’s business model under the leadership of pastor Brian Houston, and had fuelled the church’s growth.

Hardaker also spoke about how, while reporting for Crikey, his interest developed in Hillsong and Houston, and their connections with the rising influence of Pentecostal Christianity in Australian politics and with Houston's mentee and friend Scott Morrison.