Exclusive Brethren leaders face inquiry over election influence plot

A parliamentary inquiry is threatening to issue subpoenas to the world leader of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and his son to investigate a multimillion-dollar covert influence campaign during the 2025 federal election. The investigation focuses on allegations that church elders orchestrated secret payments to far-right agitators to harass Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other left-leaning Members of Parliament.

Leaked messages suggest the operation involved tracking MPs and providing private intelligence to individuals with white supremacy associations to facilitate scripted disruptions during campaign events. Evidence indicates the plot involved senior church elders, including Gareth Hales, and his company, Sante Global. Labor MPs have called on the Coalition to address its alleged entanglement with the sect’s secretive activities.