Exclusive Brethren head denies knowing church members were volunteering for Liberal party during 2025 election
Summary
The leader of the Exclusive Brethren church denied knowing about or organizing church members volunteering for the Liberal party during the 2025 Australian federal election. The church also rejected claims that it paid far-right activists to disrupt political campaigns. The parliamentary hearing involved heated exchanges between members over the church's role.Key Facts
- Bruce Hales is the highest-ranking member of the Exclusive Brethren church.
- He said he was not involved in planning, coordinating, directing, or funding any church members' volunteer activities during the 2025 election.
- The church denies it coordinated a campaign for the Coalition (the Liberal party and its allies).
- There were claims that far-right activists were paid by the church to stage actions against the Prime Minister and Labor MPs, which the church denies.
- Gareth Hales, Bruce’s son, said he met two far-right activists in a business context but denied political involvement at that time.
- Parliamentary committee hearings included disputes, with some members accusing others of religious persecution and protecting the church.
- Bruce Hales gave a sermon before the election urging prayer for good government, but denied it was a call to join the Liberal campaign.
- Members of the church were reported to have volunteered for the Liberal party, but the church denies official involvement.
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