Charity Rorts: how private schools and big business rob from the poor to give to the rich

​The registered charity that is Victoria’s Wesley College, one of the nation’s richest schools, had an income in 2019 of $128.64 million. Its massive renovation program has included $21 million for a music school, $16 million for a boarding facility and $2.5 million to refurbish its boathouse.

As a charity the school receives perks including income tax exemptions, GST concessions and deductible gift recipient status.

Another registered charity just down the road is Caulfield Grammar, with more than $100 million of income. It has been constructing a new aquatic centre with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, moveable floors and walls and “wellbeing spaces” for dance, pilates, meditation and yoga.

Along with Victoria’s Haileybury…