The highest elder in the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and so-called “man of God” has denied directing members during the 2025 election campaign, following allegations paid agitators and neo-Nazi associates were used against Anthony Albanese.
Bruce Hales, 73, and son Gareth Hales — the highest members of the highly-secretive sect — were invited to appear before the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on Friday.
The duo were invited following media reporting alleging members of the church had paid “known agitators and Nazi-associates to disrupt our democracy”.
However, in a lengthy submission to the inquiry, Mr Hales denied having any knowledge “whatsoever in any planning, co-ordinating or directing” of church members to “volunteer or participate as to which I still have no knowledge”.
“The only knowledge I had of any participation in the 2025 federal election was through the media,” he said.
Asked to explain the presence of members volunteering in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and in regional areas, Mr Hales said he did not know “because I had no part in it”.
“If community members wanted to participate in election volunteering activities together, that was a decision they made in their personal capacity,” he said.
Mr Hales also denied any knowledge of senior members of the church potentially having been involved in volunteering during the 2025 election.
“Whatever others may have done, they did in their own personal capacity,” he said.
“I did not direct, plan or approve any activities by Brethren members in relation to the 2025 federal election.”
As for his family, Mr Hales again denied any knowledge, stating: “The adult members of my family answer for themselves, as every adult does.”
Mr Hales also denied any knowledge that hotels may have been used to house members, or for any political donations to be made. He also denied using any chat groups.
At the end of his statement, Mr Hales seemingly sought to escape needing to appear before the probe.
“I trust that the above responses address the Committee’s queries that they would have of me and, as a result, I assume my attendance is no longer required before the Committee,” he said.
“Should the committee wish to raise any further matters, please provide these questions in writing and I am willing to provide supplementary written responses.”
However, it is understood Mr Hales’ attendance is still being sought.
Liberal claim denied
Mr Hales also denied any contact with then-Opposition leader Peter Dutton or adviser Sam Jackson-Hope in the lead-up to the election.
Asked about the church being characterised as a “support group” for the Liberal Party, Mr Hales said the church had no “official position in support of any political party or candidate and does not seek to instruct members as to their political leanings or their political involvement”.
“The characterisation in the Liberal Party’s election review following the 2025 federal election is a matter for the Liberal Party to explain,” he said.
“I can confirm that the Liberal Party never spoke with me in relation to the 2025 federal election review.”
Asked about any harassment by volunteers, Mr Hales said: “Every individual should answer for what they did.”
“I do not agree with the harassment or intimidation of anyone,” he added.
Leader denies direction
Of particular note were claims about an April 2025 Global Media Stream service.
Mr Hales denied stating that “booths are manned” or that “volunteers are fired up”.
“I did not make these statements and have not spoken these words in a Bible meeting or at any other time,” he said.
Mr Hales described the recorded meeting being a Bible reading, “as I do every week”.
“In it, I observed the state of the world, and I appealed to the congregation to be more fervent in prayer for good government for the benefit of all Australians – and I said Australia needed to be happy again, smiling again. That was worship and a call to prayer,” he said.
Despite widespread reporting about the culture of the church, Mr Hales denied there was a “culture of control and direction”.
“That is not how we live,” he said.
“We do seek to support and encourage the members of the church to lead their lives in accordance with their religious beliefs and the values and teachings of the church but, ultimately, their choices are their own.”