Brethren church says it is 'not a cult', denies coordinated election campaign

The spiritual leader of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has denied allegations he coordinated church members to volunteer in the 2025 federal election campaign.

His son Gareth Hales says he encouraged members of the church, but did not instruct them to participate.

The spiritual leader of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) has denied coordinating a pro-Liberal campaign in the 2025 federal election, as his son acknowledged meeting far-right figures accused of targeting MPs.

Several politicians have alleged Brethren members intimidated rival candidates and campaigners, while Nine newspapers reported church members paid far-right influencers, including neo-Nazi associates, to follow and heckle the prime minister.

Giving evidence before the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, senior elder Bruce Hales denied any knowledge of a coordinated campaign by the church.

"I did not coordinate such activities. I did not direct such activities. I did not fund such activities," he said.

"If anti-social acts were committed by any individual of any faith … I cannot answer for them".

Gareth Hales, Mr Hales's son, said he met far-right figures Chris De Bruyne and Morgan C Jonas, who have been accused of intimidation tactics during the campaign.

But he described the encounters as "brief" business meetings, and said he was unaware of their political affiliations at the time.

He also denied allegations that a company he formerly associated with, Sante Global, paid neo-Nazi associates to disrupt Anthony Albanese's campaign.

Mr Hales Jnr said his own involvement in the election was limited to volunteering at four polling booths and maintained he had only a "very, very light-touch" role.

He admitted to encouraging some church members, but did not specify how many people he counselled, or the nature of his encouragement.

"I didn't direct or coordinate, but yes, if I was on a call, a leader is expected to encourage, inspire, if at all possible," he said.

It was also revealed members of the PBCC, which has a global congregation of 56,000, had met with US President Donald Trump in New York, although Mr Hale was not present.