‘Spanish Inquistion’: Anger as Exclusive Brethren leader Bruce Hales denies involvement in campaigning for Liberals in 2025

The global leader of the secretive Exclusive Brethren says he “had no involvement” in the 2025 federal election.

Bruce Hales is appearing before a parliamentary committee inquiry into the election, with allegations that the church the Liberal Party.

“I had no involvement in the 2025 federal election. I want to be clear and unequivocal,” he said in his opening address to the committee on Friday.

“I had no involvement whatsoever in relation to any members who volunteered or took part in any aspect of the 2025 federal election.

“I did not plan such activities and did not co-ordinate such activities. They did not direct such activities. I did not fund such activities.”

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is holding hearings into allegations surrounding the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and its members involvement in the 2025 federal election.

Senior Liberal Sarah Henderson unleashed a fiery attack on the inquiry into electoral conduct, accusing its chair of waging a “hyperpartisan attack” on a religious group.

She said the committee’s focus on polling booth behaviour followed allegations paid agitators and neo-Nazi associates were deployed against Anthony Albanese.

She said it should turn his focus on “the brutal conduct by union thugs that we have put up with for a very long period of time” instead.

“This is a hyperpartisan attack on a religious group, a church,” Senator Henderson said.

“It’s completely inappropriate, and as I say, very unprofessional conduct from the chair.”

She cited her experience campaigning against federal Labor member for Corangamite Libby Coker, alleging Ms Coker was backed by the CFMEU and that she had dealt with “some of the worst possible conduct”.

Originally published as ‘No involvement’: Exclusive Brethren leader Bruce Hales denies involvement in campaigning for Liberals in 2025