Brethren church accused of paying far-right activists to disrupt 2025 federal election
Consensus Summary
Multiple news outlets are reporting allegations that the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church secretly paid far-right activists to disrupt the 2025 federal election, targeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other politicians. Investigations by THEAGE and SMH uncovered evidence of a coordinated campaign involving payments to influencers like Laurence McIntyre, who heckled Albanese on the first day of the campaign. The church denies any involvement, with director Lloyd Grimshaw calling the allegations a 'complete lie' during a parliamentary inquiry on August 21, [DATE UNVERIFIED]. Sources describe a 'duffel bag of cash' handed over to coordinate stunts, including tracking Albanese’s plane and following his movements, but the church insists all political activity was individual, not organized. The Australian Electoral Commission is investigating wider concerns, including non-compliant posters linked to the Brethren. While the church claims volunteers acted independently, independent MP Monique Ryan testified that canvassers in her electorate wore uniforms and repeated scripted phrases, suggesting coordination. The inquiry has also highlighted tensions between the Brethren and Labor, with accusations of a 'hyper-partisan witch-hunt' from the Nationals. Meanwhile, sources suggest Brethren members are shifting allegiance to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, raising concerns about the group’s ongoing political influence.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Laurence McIntyre heckled Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the first day of the 2025 federal election campaign (May 2025).
- The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (formerly Exclusive Brethren) denies paying far-right activists or coordinating stunts during the 2025 election.
- Brethren members were seen at polling booths in blue Liberal t-shirts during the 2025 election, though the church claims this was individual, not coordinated.
- Far-right influencer Laurence McIntyre has links to neo-Nazi figures and was involved in anti-immigration stunts during the campaign.
- The Brethren company Sante Global made a booking at a Sydney golf club on April 1, 2025, for a meeting involving Brethren leaders and far-right figures.
- The Australian Electoral Commission is investigating wider concerns about Brethren involvement in the 2025 election, including non-compliant posters.
- Independent MP Monique Ryan was targeted in stunts during the 2025 election, including canvassing by Brethren members repeating the phrase 'Make Australia happy again'.
- Lloyd Grimshaw, a director of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, testified at the inquiry that the church did not pay for political activity or coordinate volunteers.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Senior Brethren elders used flight tracking apps to follow Albanese’s plane during the 2025 campaign, according to four anonymous sources.
- A 'duffel bag of cash' was provided by senior Brethren members to a key right-wing figure coordinating the stunts, per four sources.
- Thousands of dollars changed hands for stunts, with payments made in car parks and discreet meetings.
- Brethren members trained in campaigning with Donald Trump’s MAGA movement, and a Brethren business in Iowa hosted a May 2025 event featuring US Vice President JD Vance.
- Former Liberal MP Barclay McGain, fired for racist comments in 2019, participated in stunts and passed footage to far-right vlogger Chris De Bruyne (Chriscoveries).
- Morgan C Jonas, founder of the anti-lockdown 'freedom party,' shared and took part in stunts, with his posters displayed by Brethren members.
- The Brethren’s wider multimillion-dollar campaign for the Coalition included members turning out in blue Liberal t-shirts despite their usual avoidance of political involvement.
- Sources say Brethren elders and members have begun shifting allegiance to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, with some claiming 'Man of God' Bruce Hales has signaled approval of One Nation’s policies.
- The same details as THEAGE for this article, as it is a near-identical repost.
- Nationals leader Matt Canavan accused Labor of launching a 'war' against people of religious faith during the inquiry, calling it a 'hyper-partisan witch-hunt'.
- The Guardian’s afternoon update included unrelated stories (e.g., Sydney Swans, Alan Jones trial, missing hiker Lily Hooper), which are not part of the Brethren story.
- Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke called for a line to be drawn on physical intimidation during elections, stating Australia should not be added to a list of countries where such tactics occur.
- Former Deputy PM Michael McCormack said union members also harassed Coalition politicians at polling booths, describing it as an 'unfortunate part' of politics.
- The ABC reported that Brethren members described a controlling environment within the church, with strict views on gender roles and opposition to homosexuality.
- Lloyd Grimshaw said it was 'not surprising' that Brethren members lean toward conservative politics due to their small business ownership and Christian faith.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Brethren church denies any involvement in paying activists or coordinating stunts, but THEAGE and SMH report leaked communications, insider accounts, and social media footage confirming payments and coordination.
- Lloyd Grimshaw claims the Brethren church had 'no input' on volunteer coordination in Kooyong, but independent MP Monique Ryan testified that canvassers in her electorate wore a uniform and repeated a scripted phrase, suggesting coordination.
- THEAGE and SMH describe a 'multimillion-dollar' Brethren campaign for the Coalition, while the Brethren church denies any financial involvement in political activity.
- McIntyre claims he had 'never heard of the Brethren,' despite being included in communications with church elders, as reported by THEAGE and SMH.
- THEAGE and SMH report that Brethren members were involved in tracking Albanese’s plane using flight tracking apps, but a Brethren elder dismissed this as something 'anyone with a flight tracking app can do.'
Source Articles
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A digital trail of evidence and political and church insiders have revealed how the wealthy Christian sect mobilised influencers around the country to track and heckle candidates.
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