The facts
Bruce Hales, the most senior member of the Exclusive Brethren, has denied any knowledge of or involvement in thousands of members from his church volunteering for the Liberal party at the 2025 federal election. The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has rejected claims it coordinated volunteers and a campaign for the Coalition, and that it secretly paid far-right figures to stage stunts against the prime minister and other Labor MPs. Hales stated unequivocally that he had no involvement whatsoever in relation to any members who volunteered or took part in any aspect of the 2025 federal election, nor did he plan, coordinate, direct, or fund such activities. He also denied that his church was a cult, a term previously used by the prime minister. His son, Gareth Hales, who also appeared before the committee, described being labelled as such as “a bit rough.” Gareth Hales stated he had met individuals identified as far-right activists in a business capacity and briefly discussed the government's general direction, but denied knowing their political affiliations at the time or that his company paid them to disrupt campaigns. He could not confirm or deny writing a message urging church members to staff polling booths but said he encouraged those already volunteering to continue. Bruce Hales also denied his sermon language, later seen on Liberal party posters, was a call to action or that he knew it appeared on advertising.
Our take
Bruce Hales, the so-called senior leader of the Plymouth Brethren, just delivered a performance before a parliamentary inquiry so full of shit you could fertilise the Nullarbor. The old prick claims he had no knowledge of thousands of his devoted followers suddenly, spontaneously volunteering for the Liberal Party. Right. And the Pope just happened to find a spare Popemobile in his garage one day. What a colossal fucking coincidence that this bloke’s entire congregation - a group so tight they probably share a single brain cell - all independently decided to rock up to the same political booths. It’s a miracle, really. The Miracle of the Fucking Useful Idiots. His son Gareth, not to be outdone in the family business of bullshit, admitted to meeting far-right goons for ‘business’ but claims he had no idea about their politics. What was the business, Gareth? Ordering a batch of ‘I’m With Stupid’ t-shirts for the inquiry? He couldn’t confirm or deny sending a message to his cultmates to staff the booths, but he ‘encouraged’ those already there. How very fucking pastoral of him. And old Bruce reckons he didn’t know his own sermon quotes ended up on Liberal Party posters. Sure, mate. You’re the head god-botherer and your words just accidentally fall onto professionally printed campaign material. It’s like a chef being surprised his special sauce ended up on the chips. This isn’t a religious movement; it’s a political fucking auxiliary with a hymn book. The only thing they’re exclusive about is their right to lie through their sanctimonious teeth. Cunts.
