Senior Brethren had 'brief' meeting with far-right figures during election

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. 

The line of questioning of both senior PBCC men was likened to a "witch hunt" by Coalition members, with Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie going as far as accusing the committee of religious discrimination.

Where did 'Make Australia Smile Again' come from?

The committee spent considerable time litigating the origin of signs reported in several electorates that read "Make Australia Smile Again".

Mr Hales was questioned about the similarity to a sermon he gave the month before the election, in which he urged parishioners to pray for "good government" because Australia "needed to be happy again, smiling again".

He agreed that it was rare for his message, sent online to church members around the world, to be misinterpreted.

"Very, very rarely do I have to go back and explain what I meant," he said.

Asked whether his four sons, one of whom was later photographed campaigning, interpreted that as an endorsement for the Liberal Party, Mr Hales said he did not know.

"I think if they had asked me about them and asked permission [to campaign], I would have denied it," he said.

"The first indication I had that my eldest son was out on the polling booths was a photograph in the paper, and I was a bit surprised."

Mr Hales Jnr gave evidence he never saw the "Make Australia Smile Again" signs and was surprised when the Liberal Party's internal review described Brethren members involved in the campaign as a support group.

"I was not aware that was how the Liberals regarded us," he said.

When pressed on who he meant by "us", Mr Hales said he was referring simply to members of the Australian public.

Fiery Coalition members label questioning a 'witch hunt'

Chair Jerome Laxale said there had been "thousands and thousands" of church members who "flooded" polling booths during the campaign.

Mr Hales Jnr pushed back, asking how Mr Laxale knew those people at the polling booths were Brethren members.

"It was well documented," Mr Laxale said.

The inquiry was littered with interjections from Coalition members, who described the line of questioning as a "witch hunt".

 Liberal senator Richard Colbeck repeatedly interrupted questioning and labelled the hearing "ridiculous". 

"This is not the Spanish Inquisition," Senator Colbeck said.

Bruce Hales's role in the church

Mr Hales told the committee he succeeded his father, John Hales, as the senior elder and was not elected but assumed the position "spontaneously".

He said members followed his teachings, which they believed came from God.

"I would think that they would say that what I get, I get from the Lord," he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously described the Brethren as a cult, which Mr Hales rejected.

Mr Hales said although he was the spiritual Brethren leader, he did not have authority over individual members, who were "entitled to make their own decisions".

Mr Hales Jnr said he did take part in the campaign as a volunteer for the Liberal Party in his capacity as a "private citizen".

He said campaigning alongside someone — in this case, fellow Brethren members — did not mean "adopting every opinion they have ever expressed".

"The committee chair is now taking a dangerous step, using a group of volunteers' religious identity to associate them publicly with ideologies apparently held by others," he said.