The global head of a powerful and secretive Christian sect will again appear at an inquiry into alleged interference in the last federal election.
Bruce Hales, senior elder of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, is expected to testify on Friday that he had no involvement in campaigns during the 2025 election, despite a co-ordinated effort from the church's members.
Multiple candidates during that election reported unusually large numbers of Liberal volunteers manning pre-poll booths.
An inquiry is investigating unusual activity at polling booths at the last federal election. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
The Sydney Morning Herald has also reported the group paid neo-Nazi associates to tail and harass MPs, and church members intimidated voters at booths across the country, which Mr Hales denies.
"I was not involved, nor did I have any participation directly or indirectly in the 2025 election," Mr Hales said in a statement prior to his appearance, adding his only knowledge of church members' involvement came through the media.
"I did not participate in the campaign, nor did I ask anyone to do so."
The church has repeatedly denied it commanded its roughly 16,000 Australian congregants to campaign for the Liberal Party, maintaining they all volunteered of their own accord.
Many Plymouth Brethren members don't vote.
In his submission to the parliamentary inquiry, which investigates each federal election as a matter of routine, Mr Hales played down his own power to direct Plymouth Brethren members.
"I am regarded as the most senior elder globally, however ... I do not have authority over members' political choices, their businesses, or how they take part in civic life," the submission reads.
The church was described as a "support group" for the Liberal Party in its own review of its 2025 election defeat, a matter Mr Hales said was the party's to explain.
Mr Hales also denied recording an audio message saying "booths are manned" and "volunteers are fired up", which was raised during a previous round of hearings, adding all he had said was "Australia needs to be happy again" during a Bible meeting.
Lloyd Grimshaw has previously denied the church was a cult. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
Plymouth Brethren director Lloyd Grimshaw appeared at previous hearings conducted by federal parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters in August, denying accusations the church was a cult.
Its website confirms members are only permitted to eat and drink with those with whom they take Holy Communion, which is stated as the main difference from other Christian denominations.
Most members are born into the church, the website reads, but there are exceptions made for outsiders willing to commit to the church's "way of life".
"That is not how we live," Mr Hales wrote in his submission, on whether there was a culture of control within the Plymouth Brethren.
In August, Mr Grimshaw confirmed Mark Mackenzie, who reportedly donated $370,000 for the return of the Howard government in 2004, was still a Brethren director.
SOURCE/AUTHOR : AAP NEWS/Will Nicholas in Canberra
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